Awantipora, March 16: The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (CIED), Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), today concluded the week-long Advanced Entrepreneurship Skill Development Programme (AESDP) on “Innovative Approaches to Fruit Preservation and its Value Addition.” The programme, held from March 9 - 16, 2026, was organised in collaboration with the Department of Food Technology, IUST.
The valedictory session was chaired by Dr. Kaiser Javed Giri, Dean, School of Engineering who emphasised the importance of integrating scientific knowledge with entrepreneurship in the agri-food sector. He noted that programmes of this nature provide students and young entrepreneurs with practical skills and innovative perspectives needed to create value-added products and contribute to local economic development.
In his remarks, Prof. Parvez A. Mir, Director, CIED IUST, highlighted the university’s commitment to promoting innovation and entrepreneurship through structured training initiatives. He said that such skill development programmes enable youth to explore viable entrepreneurial opportunities in sectors like food processing while also addressing challenges related to food preservation and value addition.
Over the week, the programme featured expert sessions and hands-on training on modern techniques of fruit preservation, value addition, and entrepreneurship opportunities in the food processing sector. Experts from MSME Srinagar, IUST, and SKUAST, industry representatives served as resource persons and interacted with trainees during the week-long training.
The programme was coordinated by Dr. Basharat Nabi Dar, Coordinator, EDC/CPMSB, who highlighted various government initiatives supporting youth entrepreneurship and encouraged participants to translate their learning into sustainable entrepreneurial ventures in the agri-food sector. About 30 students participated in the training and Technology. The valedictory session attended by Dr. Tehmeed Aijaz, Head, Department of Food Technology; and Coordinators of different CIED verticals was moderated by Dr. Sajjad Ahmed Lone and Dr. Ruheela Hassan presented a vote of thanks.
