To promote innovation and entrepreneurship, the University of Kashmir (KU) held a three-day Startup Ideation Workshop,as part of the 13-Day Winter Entrepreneur Cohort program.
Organized by the NewGen IEDC KU, in collaboration with the MeitY Startup Hub under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the workshop provided a platform for final-year and graduate students, as well as early-stage startup founders, to refine innovative ideas.
The workshop featured interactive sessions led by expert mentors, Arundhati Rao and Adithya Bhagavatula, who focused on creativity, practical ideation, and entrepreneurial capacity building.
In her message Vice Chancellor KU, Prof. Nilofer Khan, while expressing satisfaction with the successful conduct of the workshop said "Such initiatives are crucial for nurturing an entrepreneurial ecosystem and aligning with the University's commitment to excellence in education and innovation.”
Khan also appreciated NewGen IEDC’s efforts in organizing such impactful and collaborative programs to support first generation entrepreneurs.
Dean Academic Affairs KU, Prof. Shariefuddin Pirzada, commended the initiative, calling it "a vital step in connecting academic learning with real-world applications."
Dean Research KU, Prof. Mohammad . Sultan Bhat, emphasized the synergy between research and entrepreneurship, stating, "Workshops like these translate theoretical knowledge into practical solutions and develop a culture of innovation.”
Dean College Development Council KU, Prof. Khurshid Ahmad Butt stressed on the importance of collaborative efforts and said, "Such programs provide a platform for ideas to flourish under expert guidance.”
Registrar KU, Prof. Naseer Iqbal, highlighted the socio-economic impact of entrepreneurship, adding, "Empowering youth through such opportunities strengthens the region’s development framework.”
Dr. Sartaj Hussain, Coordinator NewGen KU, and Dr. Parvez Ahmad Shah, Nodal Officer NewGen KU, expressed gratitude to the University leadership for their support.
Selected participants will advance to the 10-Day Winter Entrepreneur Cohort, beginning in February 2025, for intensive training on startup development and sustainability.