National Seminar on “Employment Market Structural Shifts, Skill Logics and Policy Challenges” concludes at University of Jammu

JAMMU: A two-day National Seminar on “Employment Market Structural Shifts, Skill Logics and Policy Challenges” concluded today at the Seminar Hall of the Department of Computer Sciences and IT, University of Jammu. The seminar was organised by the Department of Lifelong Learning, University of Jammu, under the leadership and patronage of the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu.

The valedictory session was graced by Sh. Shakti Pathak, IPS, Director, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), as the Chief Guest. Prof. N. S. Tung, Former Head, Department of Psychology, Guru Nanak Dev University, was the Special Guest on the occasion. The session was presided over by Prof. Suman Jamwal, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Jammu.

In his address, Sh. Shakti Pathak, IPS, stressed the importance of ethical governance, transparency, and skill-oriented capacity building to strengthen institutions and improve employment outcomes. He underlined the need for aligning policy frameworks with emerging labour market realities.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. N. S. Tung emphasised the importance of adaptability, psychological preparedness, and continuous learning in navigating the changing employment landscape. He highlighted the role of higher education institutions in fostering critical thinking and transferable skills.

In her presidential address, Prof. Suman Jamwal emphasised the need for stronger synergy between education, skill development, and industry expectations, highlighting the role of social sciences in addressing labour market inequalities and promoting inclusive employment growth.

Earlier, Dr. Priyanka Sharma, Director, Department of Lifelong Learning, welcomed the guests and presented a comprehensive report of the two-day seminar. While concluding the proceedings, she remarked that understanding employment market dynamics is crucial for addressing unemployment, underemployment, and inequality in a rapidly changing economy. She added that the deliberations and recommendations emerging from the seminar are expected to contribute meaningfully to academic research and policy discourse on employment and skill development in India.

Over forty research papers were presented during the seminar, covering diverse themes related to employment market transformations, skill development, employability, labour policies, and future workforce challenges.

The organisers gratefully acknowledged the support of the sponsoring organisations, including the Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI), the Department of Tourism, and Jammu and Kashmir Bank, whose contributions played a significant role in the successful organisation of the seminar.

A cultural evening, was also organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages and sponsored by the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the region.

The seminar also witnessed the active participation of startups and young entrepreneurs, facilitating meaningful interaction between academia, industry, and the emerging startup ecosystem. The seminar concluded with a formal vote of thanks by Dr. Bharti Pathania, Organising Secretary of the seminar.