Srinagar, Oct 15: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Startup Ecosystem Star Award’ 2024 by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Paris. The award recognizes the university’s exceptional efforts in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the agricultural sector.
The awards aim to promote best practices, stimulate collaboration, and create “glocal” networks.
SKUAST-K Innovation, Incubation and Innovation (SKIIE) Centre was selected after successfully passing a two-tier screening process, followed by a virtual pitch delivered by CEO SKIIE Centre, Naveed Hamid. This award is particularly significant as it follows the 2023 recipient, Mariya Gabriel, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria and former EU Commissioner for Innovation.
The SES Awards are organized by the ICC and Mind the Bridge, with collaboration from the OECD and the European Commission, and support from Microsoft. The award will be presented to the CEO SKIIE Centre during a ceremony at ICC Headquarters in Paris on December 4, 2024. Distinguished attendees will include Philippe Varin, Vice President of the International Chamber of Commerce; Alberto Onetti, Chairman of Mind the Bridge; and Iliana Ivanova, EU Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth. The event will bring together leaders from various industries to celebrate the achievements of institutions and individuals making significant contributions to the global startup ecosystem.
SKUAST-K was recognized for its robust support system, which includes incubation programs, mentorship, a thriving startup ecosystem of faculty and students, and access to funding for early-stage startups. The SKIIE Centre, rated as J&K’s top incubator by J&KSTIC, has an impressive record with 55 scalable startups, 39 commercially viable intellectual properties (IP), 142 incubatees (both physical and virtual), and a network of 155 mentors. It also provides state-of-the-art facilities for young innovators and entrepreneurs.
Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, expressed his gratitude for this international recognition, stating, “This award is a testament to our relentless efforts in nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship among our students and faculty. Empowering the next generation of agritech leaders is crucial to transforming the agricultural landscape of Jammu and Kashmir and making a meaningful contribution to VIKSIT Bharat@2047.”
Prof Ganai also congratulated Naveed Hamid for competing at a global level and bringing this accolade to the university.
SKUAST-K’s startup ecosystem has attracted national attention and has forged partnerships with government bodies and private organisations to further enhance the agricultural sector. As part of its ongoing mission, the university plans to expand its support for startups through enhanced infrastructure, increased funding opportunities, and greater collaboration with industry leaders. It envisions a future where agritech solutions drive sustainable agricultural practices, improve livelihoods, and ensure food security for the region.
