SRINAGAR: The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar, in collaboration with the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), is set to establish a state-of-the-art Drone Pilot Training Centre, marking a significant step in advancing drone technology in Kashmir, according to a statement issued by NIT.
The announcement was made during the valedictory session of a six-week Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programme (ESDP) on Drone Technology, which concluded on Saturday at NIT Srinagar. The workshop, organised by the Department of Mechanical Engineering in collaboration with MSME PPDC Sanath Nagar and NIELIT Srinagar, was sponsored by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India.
Presiding over the valedictory session, Prof Marouf Wani, Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department, highlighted the programme’s success in equipping participants with essential knowledge and skills in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology. He also announced that NIT Srinagar is signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NIELIT Srinagar to establish the Drone Pilot Training Centre on the NIT campus. This initiative will introduce a six-month collaborative certificate course, jointly conducted by both institutes, with faculty members and scientists from NIT Srinagar and NIELIT working together to foster research and development in drone technology.
Dr Dinesh Kumar Rajendran, the Nodal Officer of the MSME ESDP Scheme, summarised the training activities over the past six weeks, emphasising the increasing relevance of drone technology in Kashmir and the funding opportunities available through government support. He also noted that NIT Srinagar has been developing drones for various applications, including drone soccer racing, surveillance, disease detection, and landscaping.
Ajaz Hussain, Workshop Coordinator and Faculty at MSME PPDC, welcomed the gathering and provided insights into the programme. The workshop was attended by 25 participants from different parts of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. One of the participants, Ms. Hiba, expressed her enthusiasm for the growing interest in drone technology, particularly among women. “It is encouraging to see more people, especially women, taking an interest in this field. When I first started, very few women were involved, but now the numbers are increasing,” she remarked.
Dr Rajendran also shared that he has obtained a Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) license to fly drones weighing up to 25 kg and will soon undergo Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO) Trainer license training. This development will further strengthen the department’s expertise in drone technology and pilot training.
Prof Sheikh Nazir Ahmed, drawing from his experience studying Aerospace Engineering at IIT Madras, elaborated on flight dynamics and control systems, explaining their potential to improve various aspects of life.
The valedictory session was attended by several dignitaries, including Director NIT Srinagar, Prof Binodh Kumar Kanujia, Registrar Prof Atikur Rahman, and other key faculty members from the Mechanical Engineering Department. The convenors of the workshop were Prof Babar Ahmed, Dr Mohammad Mursal, and Dr Dinesh Kumar Rajendran.
The establishment of the Drone Pilot Training Centre at NIT Srinagar is expected to boost the region’s expertise in UAV technology, providing new opportunities for innovation and skill development in Kashmir.
