The University of Kashmir (KU) on Monday began Edition 3, Phase II of a five-day Innovation, Design & Entrepreneurship (IDE) Bootcamp at the Main Campus.
The bootcamp is being hosted by the Centre for Innovation, Incubation & Entrepreneurship (CIIE), Institute of Technology (IoT), Zakura Campus, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell, AICTE, Wadhwani Foundation, and SBI Foundation. The event is being conducted simultaneously with 13 institutions across the country.
The bootcamp aims to develop problem-solving abilities among participants and guide them through the process of turning ideas into workable solutions, with a focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and real-world application.
Speaking at the inaugural session, Vice-Chancellor, KU, Prof. Nilofer Khan, said, “Platforms like these help students move beyond theory and engage with ideas that have practical relevance. It is important to nurture innovation at the institutional level and support young minds in exploring entrepreneurial pathways.”
Shri Saurabh Bhagat (IAS), Commissioner Secretary for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs to the Government of J&K, said that such initiatives are important for building a culture of innovation and encouraging youth to contribute to economic and social development through entrepreneurship.
Director, Outreach & Extension, SKUAST-K, Prof. Raihana Habib, highlighted the importance of collaborative platforms that bring together academia, industry, and policy stakeholders to support innovation-driven growth.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Dean & Director, IoT Zakura Campus, KU, Prof. Mohammad Tariq Banday, said that the bootcamp provides a structured space for participants to engage with design thinking, develop business models, and refine their startup ideas through guided mentorship.
The five-day long bootcamp includes sessions on design thinking, business model development, startup pitching, industry interaction, and hands-on workshops led by experts from different domains. Around 250 students, startup teams, faculty mentors, experts, and officials from institutions across the country are participating in the camp.
A startup exhibition was also held on the sidelines of the event, featuring participation from nearly 30 institutions across the country and showcasing innovative solutions and prototypes.
The proceedings of the event were conducted by Malik Younis Ahmad, faculty at IoT Zakura Campus KU, while the vote of thanks was proposed by Qazi Junaid, faculty at IoT Zakura Campus KU.
