SKUAST-K scholar secures top rank in INSPIRE fellowship

Srinagar, Dec 27: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir Scholar Mehnaz Shakeel has secured the first rank in the INSPIRE Fellowship awarded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.

Mehnaz Shakeel is a PhD scholar in the Division of Plant Pathology at the Faculty of Agriculture, Wadura Campus.

The INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research) Fellowship aims to support young researchers in pursuing advanced studies in basic and applied sciences, including agriculture. Mehnaz’s research is being supervised by Prof Anwar Ali, who has been guiding her academic work.

The fellowship provides monthly scholarship and financial assistance for research-related costs and will support her doctoral studies for up to five years.

Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, congratulated Mehnaz on this achievement, noting that it reflects the university’s focus on fostering quality research. “Mehnaz has made the university proud by securing this prestigious fellowship that too with the first rank at the all-India level. We wish her continued success in her academic journey,” he said.

This recognition highlights the growing presence of SKUAST-K scholars in national research platforms and reinforces the institution’s commitment to advancing agricultural sciences.