KD NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, Mar 10: In an effort to promote innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial thinking among young students, more than 140 students and faculty members from PM Shri Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Khanpora Budgam visited the CIED–IUST Foundation at the Islamic University of Science and Technology Innovation Campus for an Entrepreneurship Awareness Program (EAP).
The educational visit was organised with the objective of exposing students to the evolving world of entrepreneurship, technological innovation and skill-based career opportunities. The programme aimed to inspire young learners to adopt innovative thinking and equip them with knowledge about emerging avenues in entrepreneurship and technology-driven enterprises.
The visiting students and teachers were warmly welcomed by Dr. Basharat Nabi Dar, Coordinator EDC/CPMSB at the CIED–IUST Foundation. During his interaction, he introduced the participants to the Foundation’s mission, vision and key objectives, highlighting its role in promoting innovation, start-up culture and entrepreneurship among students and youth in the region.
Addressing the gathering, Syed Abdul Basit Andrabi stressed the growing importance of entrepreneurship in today’s rapidly evolving and competitive global environment. He encouraged students to focus on acquiring practical and skill-oriented education alongside traditional academic learning to enhance their employability and expand their professional opportunities.
He emphasized that innovation-driven entrepreneurship plays a crucial role in achieving sustainable development and building a culture of self-reliance among youth. Andrabi further highlighted that the ability to innovate and think creatively is increasingly becoming a defining factor for success in modern economies.
During his address, Andrabi also briefed the participants about the recently launched Mission Yuva Scheme Jammu and Kashmir, an initiative by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship and empowering youth across the Union Territory. He explained that the scheme seeks to nurture entrepreneurial talent by providing support, mentorship and opportunities for aspiring young innovators.
Interacting with the students, he also informed them about several short-term skill development programmes offered by the CIED–IUST Foundation. These programmes are designed to foster innovation, develop entrepreneurial competencies and prepare students for emerging technological and industry requirements.
As part of the programme, the visiting students were given an immersive tour of various advanced laboratories and innovation facilities established at the Foundation. The tour included visits to the iFactory Lab, Design & Development (D&D) Lab, Training & Development Lab, and the UltraTech Cement Lab, where students witnessed modern technologies being used for product development, research and innovation.
During the hands-on sessions, students were introduced to a range of cutting-edge tools and equipment, including 3D printers, 3D scanners, PCB prototyping machines, CNC machines, and laser cutting machines. The participants actively interacted with the technical teams and explored how these technologies are applied in designing prototypes, developing products and solving real-world problems.
The interactive demonstrations and practical exposure enabled the students to gain a deeper understanding of how technology and innovation can be transformed into entrepreneurial ventures. Faculty members accompanying the students also appreciated the initiative, stating that such exposure helps bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical application.
The visit proved to be highly informative and inspiring for the students, providing them with valuable insights into the rapidly growing fields of technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. The programme also helped broaden their understanding of innovation-driven career pathways and highlighted the importance of developing future-ready skills in an increasingly technology-oriented world.
Participants described the experience as motivating and educational, noting that the interaction with experts and exposure to advanced laboratories encouraged them to think creatively and explore entrepreneurship as a potential career option.
Overall, the Entrepreneurship Awareness Program served as a significant step towards nurturing innovation, strengthening skill development and encouraging young minds in Jammu and Kashmir to become future entrepreneurs and innovators.
