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UAJK SDG-2030 Conference Sparks Roadmap for Sustainable Growth

UAJK SDG-2030 Conference

The University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (UAJK) reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable development by hosting a national conference titled “Revitalizing AJK’s SDG-2030 Roadmap: Pathways to Sustainable Development.” The event, held at the King Abdullah Campus, was organized in collaboration with the Government of Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD).

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Presiding over the inaugural ceremony, UAJK Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Kaleem Abbasi underscored the crucial role of universities in addressing socioeconomic challenges through research-driven solutions. He lauded Prime Minister Chaudhary Anwar-ul-Haq’s initiative to revive the SDGs Support Unit and integrate academia into policymaking. Dr Abbasi expressed gratitude for the government’s financial support to UAJK and highlighted the university’s recent achievements in the Times Higher Education rankings, where it secured top positions in both general and subject (Engineering) rankings within AJK and nationally.

Emphasizing skill development, Secretary TEVTA AJK Syed Masood Bukhari outlined the role of technical and vocational education in fostering employment and economic growth. He stressed that equipping AJK’s youth with market-driven expertise is crucial for sustainable development.

Director HHRD Sajid Ali Chaddar reaffirmed his organization’s commitment to poverty alleviation, education, and healthcare initiatives. He called for enhanced collaboration between NGOs, academia, and the government to ensure that development efforts align with the SDG framework and serve local communities effectively.

Providing an analytical overview, Syeda Asma Andrabi, Consultant for Donor Coordination at the SDGs Support Unit, Prime Minister’s Secretariat, GoAJK, presented data on AJK’s SDG progress. She discussed state policies, implementation challenges, and the Prime Minister’s vision for sustainable development. She expressed hope that the conference would yield actionable policy recommendations and set a strategic direction for AJK’s SDG agenda.

Dr Abdul Rauf Janjua, Director ORIC and Focal Person (Academia) for SDGs, described the conference as a “first drop of rain” in AJK’s sustainability journey. He urged strong academia-policy linkages to ensure research translates into practical solutions for regional development.

The conference attracted senior government officials, academics, faculty members, MPhil and PhD scholars, NGOs, civil society representatives, and industry experts. Participants engaged in structured discussions through seventeen working groups, each dedicated to a specific Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). These groups formulated recommendations, which were presented in the concluding session.

The final panel session featured policymakers, government representatives, NGOs, and research scholars who pledged to collaborate on implementing SDG-focused policies. A follow-up mechanism was announced to ensure the conference’s recommendations translate into tangible actions.

The conference concluded with a collective commitment from academia, policymakers, and development organizations to advance sustainable development in AJK through research-driven policymaking and community engagement.

Related: UAJK Hosts Grand Kashmir Cultural Festival 2025

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