University of Jammu Pioneers Data-Driven Environmental Research with Five-Day R Analytics Workshop to Tackle Climate and Himalayan Challenges

JAMMU: The Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Jammu, successfully inaugurated the ‘Five-Day Workshop on “Environmental analysis using R’ today, to be held from 2-6 February 2026. The workshop aims to enhance the quality, transparency, and impact of environmental research, particularly in the context of addressing pressing issues such as climate change, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource management. The workshop provides a common platform for interaction and exchange of ideas among participants and experts from diverse institutions and disciplines.

The inaugural function was graced by Prof. Umesh Rai, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, who presided over the function as Chief Guest. In his inaugural remarks, he stressed upon the need for interdisciplinary research and capacity-building programs such as this workshop for development of a vibrant academic and research environment within the University. He congratulated the department for organizing such workshop for the benefit of the researchers as well as the faculty members.

Prof. Yashpal Sharma, Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences and Rector, Udhampur Campus graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. In his remarks he highlighted the need for training the scholars and equipping them with the knowledge of such data handling tools so that can really prove beneficial for analysing research outcomes particularly in context of the Himalayan ecosystem. 

The inaugural ceremony began with a welcome address by Prof. Deepika Slathia, Head & Convener, wherein, she emphasized that in the recent years, environmental research has witnessed a paradigm shift towards data-intensive approaches, where robust statistical analysis, visualization, and reproducible workflows have become integral to scientific inquiry. Recognizing this growing need, the present workshop has been conceptualized to strengthen analytical and computational skills among research scholars and faculty members.

In her address, she also apprised that the workshop brings together an excellent group of resource persons from premier academic and research institutions, including Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), the G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (GBPNIHE), the University of Jammu, and the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, who with their diverse expertise will ensure that participants gain both strong theoretical grounding and practical insights into applied environmental data analysis and policy-relevant interpretation. 

She further introduced the theme of the workshop and elaborated on its primary objectives, emphasizing the rationale for organizing the event. Dr. Suresh Kumar, Organizing Secretary of the workshop during the first session elaborated that this five-day workshop is designed as an intensive, hands-on training programme focusing on the use of the R programming environment for managing, analyzing, visualizing, and interpreting environmental datasets. Formal vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Anshu Gupta.

About 35 participants including research scholars and participants from different departments of University of Jammu, University of Kashmir, Islamic university of Science and Technology, Institute of Mountain Environment Bhaderwah Campus, Baba Gulam Shah Badshah University Rajouri and higher education department are participating in the workshop. 

Amongst others present in the inaugural session included Dr. Manoj Kumar, School of Social Sciences, Jawahar Lal Nehru University, New Delhi, Dr. Rakesh Kumar and Dr. Neeraj Sharma from the department. The proceedings were conducted by Ms. Shivali Sharma, Research Scholar of the department.