The Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship Centre (SKIIE) of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) organised an outreach programme in Kargil to introduce young innovators to opportunities under its E-YUVA (Empowering Youth for Value-Added Translational Research) programme, supported by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).
The programme, themed “New Ideas, Young Minds”, was organised in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kargil, affiliated with the University of Ladakh. More than 80 young participants from different domains attended the programme, interacted with experts and presented ideas with potential for development through the bio-incubation ecosystem.
The programme was attended by Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, Manzoor Hussain; Dr Nasreen Fatima, Head, KVK Kargil; faculty members of the University of Ladakh; the Chief Executive Officer, SKIIE, SKUAST-K; and the Chief Coordinator/PI, E-YUVA Centre, SKUAST-K, among others.
The sessions focused on creating awareness about the E-YUVA programme and the opportunities available to young innovators under the BIRAC-supported initiative. Participants were also engaged in interactive mind-mapping exercises to identify challenges, generate ideas and explore possible applications of innovations in local and emerging areas.
Technical sessions were conducted by the Chief Executive Officer/Chief Coordinator/PI, E-YUVA Centre, SKUAST-K, and the Coordinator, E-YUVA Centre, SKUAST-K.
Speaking on the occasion, Naveed Hameed Bhat, Chief Executive Officer, SKIIE, SKUAST-K, said the initiative is in line with the vision of Vice Chancellor Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai to reach grassroots innovators and provide them with mentoring and institutional support. He said SKIIE is working towards developing Innovation Clinics as a mechanism to connect innovators with the technical and incubation support required to develop their ideas.
Manzoor Hussain, Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, appreciated the initiative and expressed support for strengthening the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the region.
The programme provided a platform for participants to discuss ideas related to agriculture, biotechnology, environment, healthcare and other areas of local relevance. The programme concluded with discussions on continued engagement between SKUAST-K, the University of Ladakh and young innovators in Kargil, with a focus on mentoring, capacity building and development of promising ideas under the E-YUVA framework.
