Srinagar, June 20: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir Friday signed five Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with multiple institutions and organisations to foster collaboration in research, innovation, capacity building and value chain development in fibre processing. The collaborating institutes included ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology Mumbai, National Institute of Fashion Technology Srinagar, Manasbal Khadi Gram Udyog Sangh, Bandipora, Sehar Carpets Producer Company Ltd, Baramulla and The Legacy Wool World, Srinagar.
As per a statement The MoU’s were signed in a ceremonial event held at SKUAST-Kashmir Shalimar Campus chaired by Vice-Chancellor SKUAST-Kashmir Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai. The Director Research, SKUAST-K, Director Education, SKUAST-K, Director Sheep Husbandry Department Kashmir, Dean FVSc and AH, SKUAST-Kashmir, Registrar SKUAST-Kashmir; Secretary Mansbal Khadi Gram Udyog Sangh and his team; Chairman Legacy wool world and his team, CEO Sehar carpets Producer Company Ltd. and his team also attended the event. Director ICAR-CIRCOT along with his team and Director National Institute of Fashion Technology, attended the event in a virtual mode. The Chief Guest of the event, Dr Ganai while congratulating all the institutes, highlighted the significance of the collaboration to foster research, innovation, human resource development, technology dissemination, value addition and most importantly the marketing of the finished products. He appreciated the involvement of the artisan communities who are transforming the raw material into the finished products at grassroot level. Earlier, Dr. Asif, Head Division of Livestock Products Technology, briefed about the significant highlights of each MOU. He informed that with ICAR-CIRCOT, the main emphasis of MOU are collaborative R&D programmes, faculty and student exchange programmes; joint seminars and conferences; sharing of resources etc. With NIFT, the collaboration includes imparting Skill upgradation programme to identified beneficiary weavers under HADP on advanced weaving skills; novel and innovative design development; aesthetic enhancement of woollen fabrics using modern colour schemes, development of market-oriented trendy designs. With Manasbal Khadi Gram Udyog Sangh; Sehar Carpet Producer Company Ltd, and The Legacy Wool World – the wool artisan groups, highlights of the collaboration include handholding support through provision of modern wool processing tools and techniques implementation of skill upgradation programmes; facilitation in product branding and market linkage to enhance visibility and value realization. Dr. Ashok Barhimal, Principal Scientist ICAR-CIRCOT and Dr. Monika Gupta, Director NIFT, highlighted the significance of the MoU and expressed their keen interest in collaborating with the university across multiple domains in the future. Director Research, SKUAST-K, appreciated the commendable efforts of the Division of Livestock Products Technology in advancing the fibre technology sector, particularly the creation of the facility of Animal Fibre Quality Assurance Laboratory. The Dean of FVSc & AH congratulated all stakeholders on the successful collaboration and described the day as significant, marked by the signing of multiple MoUs in a single event. Director Sheep Husbandry Department Kashmir in his address highlighted the need of more collaboration between the university and the department for the overall development of the sector. Earlier, the event commenced with a warm welcome address by Dr. Sheikh Rafeh Ahmad, who greeted all dignitaries and participants. The event ended with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Heena Jalal
