Onlykashmir.in News Desk
In a groundbreaking move, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) became the first university in India, and particularly among agricultural institutions , to integrate the celebration of innovation, patents, and startups into its convocation ceremony.
The 6th Convocation, held at the Shalimar Campus, turned into a landmark event as 72 agri-startups and 88 patentees were felicitated under the SKUAST-K Innovation Ambassadors initiative.
This bold step sets a national precedent in aligning academic milestones with the spirit of entrepreneurship and technological innovation, as envisioned in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The convocation ceremony was graced by Hon’ble Union Minister of Agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir Manoj Sinha, and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Their presence and appreciation added significance to what is now being termed a historic moment in the academic and innovation landscape of the country.
“This is exactly how the NEP envisions higher education, not just as a culmination of academic degrees but as a celebration of creativity, innovation, and societal impact,” said Naveed Bhat, CEO and Head of the SKUAST-K Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship Centre (SKIIE), in a conversation with OnlyKashmir.in. “SKUAST-K has taken the national lead in bringing this vision to life.”
The success of the convocation is attributed to the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, incredible support of Officers of the University and the dynamic efforts of the SKIIE Centre team, under the stewardship of Naveed Bhat. Under their guidance, SKUAST-K is illuminating innovation, demonstrating how agricultural education can be a powerful driver of economic and technological transformation.
“The ceremony was not only a tribute to academic excellence but also a powerful recognition of the university’s evolving role as a cradle of innovation, contributing to self-reliance and knowledge-based development in the region and beyond,” said a medallist.
