KU committed to building a robust innovation ecosystem to inspire students to become job creators: VC Neloofar

Srinagar : To promote an innovation-driven academic environment, the Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE), Institute of Technology (IoT), Zakura Campus, University of Kashmir ( KU) inaugurated a five-day Faculty Development Program (FDP) on ‘Innovation and Entrepreneurship.’
The program is being organised by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell.
The FDP aims to equip faculty members with tools and knowledge to guide and mentor students in innovation, incubation and entrepreneurial activities aligned with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Vice-Chancellor KU, Prof. Nilofer Khan, who was the chief guest at the inaugural session, emphasized the importance of integrating innovation and entrepreneurship into higher education.
“This program is a step in the right direction. NEP 2020 stresses on the need to empower faculty to become facilitators of innovation. The University is committed to building a robust innovation ecosystem to inspire students to become job creators rather than job seekers,” she said.
Dean Academic Affairs KU, Prof. Shariefuddin Pirzada, lauded the initiative and said, “Capacity-building initiatives like these help faculty stay aligned with technological and industrial advancements. Academic institutions must take the lead in developing innovation-driven solutions to regional and national challenges.”
Prof. S.Muzaffar Andrabi, Dean School of Engineering, Zakura Campus KU, highlighted the need to support entrepreneurial mindsets and encourage problem-solving approaches among both faculty and students.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Prof. Tariq Banday, Chairman CIIE and Director, IoT Zakura Campus KU, said that FDP will serve as a platform for faculty to explore strategies for promoting innovation-led education and build institutional capabilities.
The program is being attended by faculty members from various colleges and universities across J&K.
It features expert-led sessions on diverse themes such as design thinking, startup ecosystem, idea validation, and business model development, aimed at strengthening participants’ understanding of innovation processes and entrepreneurial development within academic settings. The proceedings of the event were conducted by Dr. Bilal Ahmad Malik, Coordinator, CIIE, IoT Zakura Campus KU, who also delivered the formal vote of thanks.