KCET hosts workshop on innovation, design, entrepreneurship

Srinagar, Nov 6: The Kashmir College of Engineering and Technology (KCET) inaugurated a two-day Capacity Building Workshop on Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship aimed at strengthening the creative and entrepreneurial skills of teachers and district-level education officials in line with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The workshop focuses on fostering innovation, design thinking, and problem-solving abilities among educators while promoting collaboration between institutions and the AICTE Innovation Cell to build a culture of creativity and entrepreneurship in education.

The inaugural session was attended by Syed Shabir Ahmad, Joint Director SCERT Kashmir and Joint Director Central School Education Department, as the chief guest. Er. Raja Aijaz Ali (Retd. IPS), Chairman of KCET, presided over the function. Officers from the AICTE Innovation Cell, Gopal Sharma and Shivendra Mani Tripathi, were also present at the event.

The organisers extended special appreciation to Ram Nivas Sharma, Principal Secretary, School Education Department; Bhavani Rakhwal, Project Director, Samagra Shiksha & PM-SHRI; and Fayaz Ahmad Fayaz, State Coordinator, Samagra Shiksha J&K, for their support and coordination in making the workshop possible.

In his address, Chief Guest Syed Shabir Ahmad emphasised the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in education and expressed satisfaction that KCET offers AI as a specialised branch in its B.Tech programme. He said the initiative reflected the institution’s commitment to future-ready learning and emerging technologies.

Chairman Er. Raja Aijaz Ali, in his welcome remarks, underlined the vital role of teachers as “the architects of change and innovation” and stressed the need to integrate creativity and entrepreneurial thinking into the education system.

Dr Omar Farooq, Assistant Professor, Department of Artificial Intelligence, welcomed the dignitaries and participants, noting that KCET — inaugurated in 2024 by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha — is dedicated to promoting excellence in technical education through modern infrastructure and quality academic initiatives.

The workshop drew enthusiastic participation from teachers and education officials across Kashmir. Participants engaged in hands-on sessions and discussions on integrating innovation and entrepreneurship into curriculum planning and classroom practice.