SKUAST-K, IIT Jammu kickstart capacity building programme to boost startup ecosystem

Srinagar, Feb 2: In a significant stride toward strengthening the entrepreneurial landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, SKUAST-K, in collaboration with the Institute Incubation & Innovation Council (I3C) at IIT Jammu, launched a week-long Capacity Building Programme today.

The initiative is being held under the JKCIP framework and is specifically tailored for the capacity building of incubation staff, including scientists and officials from SKUAST-K. Centred on the core themes of incubation, innovation, and entrepreneurship, the programme aims to equip participants with the essential skills required to cultivate a thriving and innovative ecosystem across the Union Territory.

Prof Arvind, Chief Innovation Officer at I3C, inaugurated the event by outlining a comprehensive structure that features interactive sessions, workshops, and hands-on training. The curriculum focuses on advanced incubation strategies and innovative problem-solving, with a particular emphasis on merging agriculture with modern technology. During his address, Prof Arvind introduced the SKUAST-K delegates to the IIT Jammu Innovation Council, highlighting its pivotal role in nurturing startups and commercializing academic research. He emphasized that through JKCIP, the institutions are laying the vital groundwork for transformative enterprises that will eventually drive regional self-reliance and robust economic growth.

The programme is currently being hosted at IIT Jammu’s cutting-edge facilities, where twenty selected scientists and officials are participating in the intensive training. This collaboration between SKUAST-K and IIT Jammu promises to forge lasting agri-tech partnerships, marking a bold and strategic step forward for the future of J&K’s entrepreneurial and industrial development.