NIT Srinagar receives prestigious ANRF-PAIR-B grant

Srinagar, July 25: The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar, along with five other institutions, has been chosen to receive a prestigious grant of ₹2.3 crore under the Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR), Category B, scheme by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).The project will be executed in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, the designated hub institution.The PAIR initiative aims to strengthen collaborative research efforts through a hub-and-spoke model. Under this project, the network will focus on two themes, including Advanced Research and Education in Cancer Diagnostics and Therapeutics (CARE-CaDaT) and Synergistic Development of Semiconductor and Digital Technologies for the Automotive Sector.NIT Srinagar is participating under the second theme and will contribute to the development of indigenous solutions in semiconductor and automotive technology.The one-year collaborative project is led by Dr. Sheikh Aamir Ahsan, Assistant Professor in the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, who serves as the Principal Investigator (PI) for NIT Srinagar.Others include Prof. (HAG) Mohd Farooq Wani, High Temperature Tribology Laboratory, and Head MED, NIT Srinagar, Prof. (HAG) G A Harmain, from Mechanical Engineering, Prof. Adnan Qayoum, (MED), Dr. Sheikh Shahid Saleem, Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering,Dr. Farhad Ilahi Bakhsh, Assistant Professor, Electrical Engineering Department, Dr. Mohammad Ahsan Chishti, Associate Professor & Associate Dean (Research & Consultancy), Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Dr. Anshul Gupta, Assistant Professor, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Dr. Ikhlaq Hussain, Assistant Professor, Electrical Engineering, Dr. Harkirat Singh, Assistant Professor, Physical Sciences, Dr. Azher Jameel, Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Hareesh Myneni, Assistant Professor, Electrical Engineering.Others include Dr. Janibul Bashir, Assistant Professor, Information Technology, Dr. Gh Rasool Begh, Associate Professor, Electronics & Communication, Dr. Brajendra Singh Sengar, Assistant Professor, Electronics and Communication, Dr. Amit Kumar, Assistant Professor, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Dr. Ashok Kumar, Assistant Professor, Electronics and Communication Engineering and Dr. Mohd Nadeem Bhat, Scientific Officer, Central Research Facility Centre,Meanwhile the sanctioned amount of ₹2.3 crore will be administered by the hub institution, IIT Kanpur, for collaborative activities proposed under the PAIR scheme. While the funds will remain with the hub, spoke institutions like NIT Srinagar will actively participate in all research and development components of the project.Congratulating the NIT Srinagar team, Prof. Binod Kumar Kanaujia, Director, NIT Srinagar, said that the prestigious collaboration with IIT Kanpur is a testament to the growing research strength of NIT Srinagar.”The PAIR scheme reflects the national commitment to drive innovation through institutional synergy and thematic research. The semiconductor and automotive sectors are strategic pillars for India’s technological future, and we are proud to contribute to this national mission,” he added. Prof. Atikur Rehman, Registrar, NIT Srinagar, said this project showcases the strength of our multidisciplinary faculty and the collaborative spirit that defines NIT Srinagar.”I congratulate the Principal Investigator, co-investigators, and all involved for securing this highly competitive grant. Such initiatives will enhance our research visibility at national and international levels,” he said.Dean Research and Consultancy Prof. Roohie Naaz said that this collaboration will catalyze interdisciplinary research and open new doors for innovation-driven growth. It is a significant milestone in our pursuit of becoming a research-intensive institute aligned with national priorities,” she said.Apart from NIT Srinagar, other spoke institutions under this PAIR-B network include Chhatrapati Sahuji Maharaj Kanpur University, Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Una, King George’s Medical University (KGMU) Lucknow, NIT Arunachal Pradesh, and Ravenshaw University, Cuttack. The PAIR scheme, launched by the ANRF, is designed to boost research in Indian institutions with limited infrastructure by connecting them with established research hubs. It aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and emphasizes mentoring, capacity building, and collaborative innovation across academia, industry, and policy sectors.