Umer Iqbal

I am a Ph.D. Research Scholar at Department of Journalism & Mass Communication, IUST. I completed Kalinga Fellowship at Bridge Institute in 2021 & US legislative fellowship in 2016.

I was born in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district. I completed my schooling in the district and then accomplished 12th as a science student from Government Higher Secondary School Anantnag. I took admission in a government college for further studies and completed Bachelors in Science degree there. I then took admission for Master’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication at Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora-Pulwama. I was awarded Gold Medal at University’s maiden convocation in testimony of having secured 1st position in Master’s degree in Journalism & Mass Communication.

I am passionate about public policy and good governance. I have worked at National Television and local English newspapers. I was awarded United States Legislative Fellowship in the year 2016, wherein I got opportunity to work with prestigious institutes including World Learning and Youth Services America based in Washington D.C.

From the very beginning, I was very enthusiastic and actively advocated about the e-governance in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
I have been fortunate enough by working closely on youth related issues at the grassroots and policy levels. I always strived to realize the vision of empowering youth of J&K to serve as agents of non-violent social change and for their voices to be included in mainstream discourses.

I have also served as a liaison between the government and the public, and gained a vast experience in event management, youth mobilization, Public Relations, community outreach, and information dissemination.

I also worked at J&K State Sports Council (J&KSSC). While working at the J&KSSC, Government of J&K, I facilitated several pioneering initiatives under the ‘Sports for All’ program to revive sports related activities and infrastructure in the State. This included organizing coaching for young aspiring sportspersons, establishing sports academies, holding training camps for youth in rural and urban schools, creating opportunities for women and girls to participate in sports, among others.

I actively played part in connecting unemployed youth with entrepreneurship opportunities through J&K’s institutions such as the J&K Entrepreneurship Development Institute and the J&K Khadi and Village Industries Board. This has led to a large number of unemployed youth successfully staring their own business ventures in the J&K.