Srinagar, Sept 25: The first interactive meeting with Spokes Heads and Coordinators of the Design Innovation Centre (DIC) was held under the chairmanship of Central University of Kashmir (CUK) Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mehraj ud Din Mir at Nowgam-I academic block of the varsity here on Tuesday.

The meeting was attended by Prof. Javed Musarrat, Vice-Chancellor, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBSU) Rajouri, Prof. Fayaz Ahmad Nika, Registrar CUK, Prof. N.A. Nadeem, Director, DIC and Dean School of Education, CUK, Prof. Parveen Pandit, Controller of Examinations, Prof. Nighat Basu, Coordinator Teacher Education, seven selected College Principals (Spokes heads), Director, Institute of Hotel Management, Rajbagh and coordinators of the project.

Director DIC, Prof. N.A Nadeem welcomed the guests and gave a detailed presentation about the background and successful execution of the project. Prof. Nadeem discussed at length the objectives, focus, programmes and phase wise implementation of the project. In order to promote and preserve the rich local entrepreneurship culture by involving the young and creative minds in the State, the Director DIC said the focus of the project is to provide skill based education about Kashmiri Handicrafts, Dress Designing, Kashmiri Food Production, Herbal Medicine and Aroma Technology. He informed the members that all the students enrolled for different skill based diploma programmes shall be given a monthly stipend of Rs. 2,000. Besides, the Director DIC made it clear that after the culmination of the programme, the enrolled students shall be encouraged to establish their own start-ups.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Javed Musarrat congratulated CUK for getting this mega project from the MHRD. While highlighting the significance of such creative and innovative initiatives, Prof. Prof. Musarrat said that in order to transform ideas into reality, the Centre should establish tinkering laboratories with 3D Systems/printers at each spokes centre.

CUK Vice-Chancellor CUK, Prof. Mehraj ud Din Mir also congratulated Director DIC Prof. Nadeem for getting the Project from the MHRD. He said that trained and experienced local artisans who have suffered due to present circumstances should be involved in the project so that they may not only sustain their livelihood, but can help up to a greater extent in reviving the rich entrepreneurship culture in the valley. Prof. Mir underscored the need for continuous and rigorous monitoring of all the skill based programmes to be offered at various colleges. He emphasized that there should be a close coordination between spokes heads/College Principals and the Director DIC so that the basic objective of the project is realized.

Vice-Chancellor directed that the necessary interaction meetings should be conducted on rotational basis in all the eight selected colleges including NIFT & IHMR. The members unanimously agreed with the viewpoint of Prof. Mehraj ud Din Mir and it was proposed that such interactive meeting shall be held at Government  Degree College, Kargil.

Registrar, Prof. Fayaz Ahmad Nika and CoE, Prof. Parveen Pandit , Prof. A.H. Munshi also spoke on the occasion and expressed their thoughts about the DIC. Threadbare interactions were held between the selected college principals, Director Skill Development and Concerned coordinators, about the process, procedure and implementation of the Project.

Prof. Nighat Basu proposed the vote of thanks.