Awantipora (J&K), May 11:
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Wednesday addressed the National Academia-Industrial Conclave at Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) and inaugurated several key infrastructure facilities on the University campus, including the Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship Development (CIED), Food Technology Block and Food Testing Lab.
Sinha also presided over the signing of several MoUs between IUST and Industry Associations, Businesses, Institutions and the Government.
In his address, the Lt Governor termed the Conclave as a path-breaking initiative to bridge the gap between academia and industry. Collaboration with stakeholders will help in building an enabling environment for innovation to flourish in UT of J&K, the Lt Governor said.
A strong Academic-Industry collaboration will bring a meaningful change in the private and public sector, besides providing an opportunity to promote innovation, work on new model of IEC – Innovate, Evolve and Commercialize the relevant technology, building new knowledge to meet the needs of the future, added the Lt Governor.
Terming Startups as a true game changer for economic growth, the Lt Governor said that the government is determined to provide incubation and seed funding support to brilliant ideas and solutions.
“Our aim is to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation and Startups in J&K and the synergies between industrial and academic establishments will encourage and empower young innovators and boost private investment in the Startups”, the Lt Governor said.
The Lt Governor asked all stakeholders to focus on affordability, sustainability of innovative products, and creation of Industry Innovation clusters to encourage young entrepreneurs and drive job creation.
India is now ranked third in the world in terms of innovation and start-ups after the US and China, the Lt Governor observed.
The Lt Governor entrusted upon the Industry and academic institutions like IUST, Kashmir University, Jammu University, NIT, IIT to encourage the culture of innovation and provide institutionalized handholding to the budding innovators and researchers.
We have turned the red tape into red carpet. Under the guidance of Prime Minister, UT is witnessing unprecedented industrial investment. The impact of industrial growth will soon reflect in other sectors too. Academic-Industry collaboration and initiatives like CIED will provide an opportunity to promote innovation and ensure market linkage, said the Lt Governor.
“I assure the young innovators that if your idea has potential, the government will extend every possible support to transform your ideas into entrepreneurship ventures”, added the Lt Governor.
The Lt Governor further urged the representatives of the Industry and Academia to launch an annual Vice Chancellor's Innovation Challenge to encourage and reward new ideas.
Speaking on the recent decision of age relaxation in the upper age limit for the ensuing Jammu and Kashmir Combined Competitive Examination (JKCCE), the Lt Governor said that the government is sensitive towards the needs and aspirations of the people, especially the youth of J&K.
As many as 16 startups were provided seed capital funding of Rs 5 Lakh each for a period of two years, besides Training and Development programmes were initiated for local food manufacturing, service and agro-industrial units. More than 125 industrial units of the UT are participating in Food Technology training, Digital marketing, leadership development for budding entrepreneurs, it was informed.
