In its efforts to promote software industry in the Valley, the University of Kashmir has decided to establish an advanced Information Technology centre on the campus.

"The university is all set to establish an advanced centre for IT on the campus, which is the fundamental step for ensuring development of software industry," vice chancellor of the university Riyaz Punjabi said today.

He said the Centre would impart training to IT professionals to ensure that the software industry in the region develops at a rapid pace.

"Our successful completion of first phase of e-governance at varsity has encouraged us to think beyond and we have got great support from present government in this regard," Punjabi said.

He said the state has a large number of engineers in the field of computers, electronics and manpower with Master's degree in computer applications and allied areas.

"A high-end training course of about six months transforms them from qualified manpower to the skilled manpower," Director of Information Technology and Support Service (ITSS), Meraj ud Din, said.