Jammu and Kashmir will for the first time host the prestigious Indian Science Congress when its next edition is held in 2014.
A galaxy of renowned scientists from within and outside the country, five Nobel laureates among them, are expected to attend the mega science event, Governor N N Vohra said.
The meet next February is to be hosted by Jammu University, the Governor yesterday told a group of vice-chancellors of various universities in the state.
The Forum of VCs, presently chaired by the head of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Dr Tej Partap, had called on the Governor at Raj Bhavan to felicitate him for his extended involvement with the affairs of the state.
"The Governor thanked (the VCs) for their good wishes and... Informed them of the joyous decision of the Indian Science Association that the next Indian Science Congress will be held in the state," an official spokesman said.
Describing the decision as "historic," Vohra urged all the VCs to support in the successful organisation of the event.
This is the first time in 110 years that the Indian Science Congress would be held in Jammu and Kashmir, he said.
The Governor was presented a memento by the Forum's members, who also included University of Kashmir VC Prof Talat Ahmad, Central University of Kashmir VC Prof Abdul Wahid and University of Jammu VC Prof M P S Ishar.
The VCs thanked Vohra for his sustained guidance and support over the past five years and lauded him for taking a keen interest in the development of the state's universities, the spokesman said.
During the discussions, the Governor stressed on the need of the universities to enter into mutually beneficial collaborations in the areas of teaching, research, libraries, and sports among others with the larger objective of improving the quality of higher education and ensuring speedy economic development of the state.
