JAMMU: In a major initiative to promote youth entrepreneurship and innovation, the Centre of Excellence (CoE), Industrial Biotech Park (IBTP), Kathua, under the aegis of CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, has launched a two-week-long outreach programme titled ‘Entrepreneurship Connect: Kathua to Kargil’.
The roadshow, financially supported by the Jammu and Kashmir Science and Technology Department, aims to connect students, young innovators and aspiring entrepreneurs with opportunities in science and technology-based start-ups.
The initiative will cover 12 locations across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, beginning from Kathua and passing through Hiranagar, Samba, Vijaypur, Jammu, Katra, Reasi, Udhampur, Ramban, Srinagar, Drass and Kargil.
During the two-week programme, the CSIR-IIIM team will interact with students from more than 12 colleges and educational institutions through awareness programmes, brainstorming sessions and innovation-focused activities. Scientists and experts will introduce participants to entrepreneurship opportunities, incubation facilities and support systems available for developing innovative ideas.
Addressing a press conference, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM Jammu and CSIR-NBRI Lucknow, said the initiative was aimed at strengthening the entrepreneurship ecosystem in the region and taking the benefits of scientific research and innovation to young people.
He said the Industrial Biotechnology Park at Kathua was established as a flagship project under the vision of Union Minister for Science and Technology and CSIR Vice-President Dr. Jitendra Singh, with the objective of helping young people transform scientific ideas into viable business ventures.
Dr. Ahmed said the roadshow would feature hackathons and ideathons, allowing students to present innovative concepts with the potential to be developed into marketable products and technologies. Participants can submit their ideas through presentations, short videos or photographs of products they have developed, while shortlisted candidates will get an opportunity to present before an expert panel.
The top three participants will receive awards and certificates, while promising ideas will be considered for incubation support. Certificates will also be provided to all participants, with spot registration available.
Highlighting the region’s potential, Dr. Ahmed said Jammu and Kashmir had abundant natural resources, particularly in the herbal and medicinal plant sectors, while its young population possessed considerable innovative potential.
The roadshow will focus on biotechnology, medicinal and aromatic plants, herbal products, agriculture, food processing, fermentation technology and other science-based sectors.
He further said students with promising concepts would be invited to the Industrial Biotechnology Park, Kathua, where they could access technical guidance, analytical facilities, knowledge support and assistance in business development.
Explaining the institute’s existing support network, Dr. Ahmed said CSIR-IIIM was providing incubation support through the BioNEST Incubator in Jammu, the Atal Incubation Centre in Srinagar and the Centre of Excellence at IBTP Kathua. These initiatives have helped the institute establish connections with more than 125 start-ups, of which over 25 have progressed towards product development.
A major highlight of the initiative will be Hackathon 9.0 – Empowering Youth of Jammu and Kashmir, scheduled to be held at Government Degree College (GDC), Kargil, on November 17.
The hackathon will focus on areas including drug discovery and development, Ayurvedic medicines, fermentation-based products, agriculture, cattle feed, food processing, essential oil-based products and mushroom-based products.
Dr. Ahmed said the broader objective was to ensure that students, researchers, start-ups and farmers, including those from remote areas, could benefit from the region’s scientific infrastructure and natural-resource potential.
He added that strengthening research linkages, encouraging technology commercialisation and promoting innovation-led enterprises would contribute to regional development and the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Among those present at the launch were Dr. Saurabh Saran, Senior Principal Scientist, Head of IIIM Incubation Centres and Project Coordinator, CoE; Ajaz Mir, CEO, BioNEST, IBTP; Dr. Vidushi Abrol, Business Manager; and Dr. Shefali Chib, Incubation In-charge.
