Ganderbal, Sept 5: Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir) celebrated Teachers’ Day on Saturday through online mode, paying glowing tributes to the teaching fraternity and reaffirming the significance of teachers in instilling values, nurturing responsible, enlightened and socially conscious citizens who contribute meaningfully towards the nation building.
The programme was organised by the School of Education. In his presidential address, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A. Ravinder Nath conveyed the Teachers Day greetings from the Chancellor, Governor of Bihar, Lt. Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain and said the day should be seen as an occasion to recognise both formal and informal teachers, including parents, society and nature.
He emphasised that higher education must focus not merely on imparting knowledge but on transforming knowledge into wisdom and preparing students to become responsible contributors to society.
He called upon teachers to embrace multidisciplinary education, innovation, experiential learning and stronger collaborations with industry and communities. CUKashmir VC emphasised that universities must evolve from traditional “temples of learning” into centres of excellence, where knowledge and intellectual property contribute to economic empowerment and societal betterment.
Delivering the keynote address on “Role of Teachers in Building a Nation”, COO and Academic Director AIMST University, Malaysia, Dr. Kerron G. Reddy said teachers are “nation builders” and that meaningful nation-building was impossible without their contribution. She urged educators to discharge their responsibilities with passion, commitment and affection, stressing that teachers have a vital role in guiding young people towards appropriate career choices and helping them identify their aptitude, skills and aspirations.
In his special remarks, Dean Academic Affairs, Prof. Shahid Rasool said the role of a teacher, particularly in higher education, has always been central to the creation and transmission of knowledge.
“Traditionally, the teacher was regarded as the expert, the authority, and the principal source of knowledge. But today, that model is undergoing a profound transformation. The arrival of digital natives and the emergence of artificial intelligence have changed everything,” he said.
Prof. Shahid added that “If knowledge and information is available everywhere, and artificial intelligence can increasingly perform many tasks that teachers were performing, then what is the role of the teacher? The answer is simple. The teacher is not becoming less important and will remain central to the transmission of knowledge,” he further said.
Earlier, in her welcome address, Dean School of Education, Prof. C. Naseema said Teachers’ Day was not merely an occasion for celebration but a moment for reflection, gratitude and reaffirmation of the profound responsibility shouldered by teachers. She observed that a teacher’s influence often remains invisible but can endure for a lifetime.
Deans of Schools, Heads and Coordinators of Department, faculty members, scholars and students attended the online event.
Sr Asst Prof. Dr. Firdous Ahmad Sofal conducted the proceedings and HoD, Department of Education, Prof. Syed Zahoor Ahmad Geelani proposed the vote of thanks.
