SRINAGAR: Mohammad Younis Malik on Wednesday assumed charge as Director of the Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute at a brief ceremony held at the institute’s Sempora campus, marking a formal transition in leadership at the Union Territory’s premier entrepreneurship promotion body.
On the occasion, a farewell was accorded to the outgoing Director, Khalid Jahangir, who had been holding the additional charge of JKEDI alongside his responsibilities as Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department.
Senior officers, officials, and staff members of JKEDI attended the ceremony and acknowledged Jahangir’s contributions during his tenure. Under his stewardship, the institute continued to strengthen its role in promoting entrepreneurship, encouraging startup culture, and implementing initiatives aimed at youth empowerment and economic development across Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking after assuming charge, Malik expressed gratitude for the opportunity and reiterated his commitment to advancing the institute’s mandate. He emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship, capacity building, and effective policy implementation in creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.
“The employees of the institute are its permanent stakeholders, and our collective strength lies in working together with unity and purpose. We must function as a cohesive team to achieve our objectives and take JKEDI to newer heights,” he said.
Highlighting key challenges, Malik noted that unemployment remains a major concern and stressed the need to align JKEDI’s initiatives with efforts to address the issue. He called for a results-oriented approach to meet the expectations of youth through entrepreneurship and innovation.
He also underscored the significance of the JK Startup Policy 2024–27, stating that JKEDI would continue to play a pivotal role in nurturing startups, facilitating access to finance, and strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region.
In his farewell remarks, Jahangir extended his best wishes to the incoming Director and expressed confidence in the institute’s continued progress. He appreciated the professionalism and dedication of JKEDI staff and urged them to maintain focus on impactful outcomes.
The staff of JKEDI conveyed appreciation for the outgoing Director’s guidance and welcomed the new Director, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the institute’s vision of empowering aspiring entrepreneurs across Jammu and Kashmir.
