SRINAGAR: The South Campus of the University of Kashmir concluded a week-long Digital Marketing and AI Bootcamp on Sunday, equipping students, scholars, and professionals with cutting-edge industry skills. The programme, held from March 17 to 24, 2025, was coordinated by Dr Irfana Rashid, Senior Assistant Professor in the Department of Management Studies, under the guidance of Prof Waseem Bari, Director of South Campus.
Funded and supported by the University of Kashmir under the patronage of Vice-Chancellor Prof Nilofer Khan and Registrar Prof Naseer Iqbal, the bootcamp featured a mix of expert-led sessions, hands-on activities, and competitive challenges to foster innovation and skill development.
The event was inaugurated by Dr Syeed Fakhrudin Hamid (IAS), Deputy Commissioner of Anantnag, who delivered a keynote address on the significance of digital transformation and the role of youth in technological advancements.
Throughout the week, participants engaged in interactive sessions led by Nikita Vora, an IIM Ahmedabad alumnus and founder of SHELeads India. Her training covered core aspects of digital marketing, including SEO, social media strategy, Google Analytics, content creation, and presentation skills. Sessions were enriched with real-world case studies and hands-on exercises to enhance practical learning.
One of the highlights of the bootcamp was an inter-group digital marketing competition, where participants developed and presented marketing campaigns to a panel of industry experts, including PK Gautam (Founder of MFable), Arif Shah (Product Manager at Ideas2IT), and Dr Shahnawaz Qadri (Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Sciences).
The competition, structured around strategy, content creation, ad budgeting, and teamwork, challenged participants to apply their skills in real-world scenarios. Teams analyzed global campaigns such as “Share a Coke” and Starbucks to develop innovative marketing strategies.
The bootcamp concluded with a valedictory ceremony, where the top three performing teams were awarded for their outstanding campaigns. In a major boost for participants, internship opportunities were also announced by Dr Syeed Fakhrudin Hamid (IAS), Nikita Vora, PK Gautam, and Arif Shah, offering students a chance to apply their learning in professional settings.
