SRINAGAR: In a significant development for the region’s technological landscape, Greenovator Incubation Foundation, NIT Srinagar, and Chinar Quantum AI convened a high-level meeting to accelerate efforts toward launching Jammu and Kashmir’s first satellite. Held at the Greenovator Incubation Foundation Conference Room at NIT Srinagar, the event gathered key industry leaders, innovators, and academia to discuss startup ecosystems and advancements in satellite technology.
Dr Saad Parvez, Principal Investigator of Greenovator Incubation Foundation, opened the forum by highlighting the role of fundamental business values—such as attitude, belief, commitment, and determination—in fostering innovation and operational excellence within organizations.
Professor MA Shah, a distinguished academic, urged stakeholders to adopt a strategic shift toward emerging technologies, advocating for professionals and students to embrace new advancements to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving market. His call to action resonated with the audience, emphasizing the critical importance of bridging traditional industries with cutting-edge technology.
A highlight of the session was the presentation by Dr Rukhsan ul Haq, founder of the Kashmiri Institute of Mathematical Sciences, who shared his inspiring journey from Kashmir to IBM Quantum. Dr Haq’s presentation shed light on Chinar Quantum AI’s ongoing efforts to address the region’s skills gap, offering comprehensive training programs to equip students and professionals with the knowledge needed to thrive in the quantum technology space.
Shahid Abbas Mir, CEO of Greenovator Incubation Foundation, reinforced the central role that entrepreneurship and innovation play in driving regional economic growth, particularly in the context of technological advancement. His insights set the stage for a broader discussion on how Jammu and Kashmir can emerge as a hub for innovation in the space industry.
Adding to the technical discussions, Dr K Gopalakrishnan, Project Director of the 75 Satellites Consortium Mission, delivered an in-depth overview of small satellite technology. He outlined how government initiatives are paving the way for India to become a global leader in satellite innovation. His insights into Space Era 2.0 sparked enthusiasm about the transformative potential of satellite technology in the region.
Nikhil Riyaz, Founder and CEO of Hexia Pvt Ltd, provided a hands-on demonstration of a fully operational satellite developed by the Indian Technology Congress Association (ITCA). He also offered a detailed explanation of satellite components such as CanSats and PCB boards, giving attendees a glimpse into the technical intricacies of satellite development.
The event also featured dynamic discussions led by Ms Ifrah Sheikh of Chinar Quantum AI, who moderated a panel of industry experts, addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for startups in the space sector. Ms Inbisat Yousuf, a final-year postgraduate scholar and Chinar Quantum AI’s university outreach ambassador shared her experiences as a UNISEC India representative, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration in space education.
Special acknowledgements were given to Prof A Ravinder Nath, Director of NIT Srinagar and Chairman of Greenovator Incubation Foundation, for his leadership in organizing the event and driving the vision forward.
The meeting concluded with discussions on future collaborations between the Greenovator Incubation Foundation, Chinar Quantum AI, and ITCA. The trio is poised to spearhead efforts toward launching Jammu and Kashmir’s first satellite, a project that promises to mark a milestone in the region’s entrepreneurial and technological journey.
