In a pioneering move for social inclusion, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), in collaboration with the Voluntary Medicare Society (VMS), launched its University Social Responsibility (USR) initiative, “Wheels to Wings.” The program is the first of its kind in Jammu & Kashmir, providing hands-on learning and entrepreneurial exposure to youth with disabilities within a mainstream university setting.

The initiative equips specially-abled youth with skills in agriculture, innovation, and entrepreneurship, promoting self-reliance and dignity. Participants toured SKUAST-K’s Chrysanthemum Garden and the Innovation, Incubation & Entrepreneurship Centre (SKIIE), engaging in live demonstrations on nursery management, adaptive tools, plant propagation, and agripreneurship models.
Vice Chancellor Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai described the initiative as a “turning point in SKUAST-K’s journey of inclusive excellence,” urging participants to transform challenges into leadership opportunities. Faculty and social sector representatives lauded the program as a historic step towards inclusive education in the region.
With “Wheels to Wings,” SKUAST-K has redefined its role as a center of learning and empowerment, turning its campus into a model of innovation, inclusivity, and social responsibility.