SRINAGAR: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) has partnered with the Bio-Enzyme Entrepreneurs Academy of India, Bengaluru, to promote bio-enzyme entrepreneurship as a waste-to-wealth opportunity and create self-employment avenues for students, farmers and rural entrepreneurs in Jammu and Kashmir.
The collaboration was formalised on Monday with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the inauguration of a one-week certificate course on ‘Bio-Enzyme Entrepreneurship’ at the Vice Chancellor’s Secretariat at the university’s Shalimar Main Campus.
Organised by the SKUAST-K Innovation and Incubation Entrepreneurship Centre (SKIIE) in collaboration with the Academy, the programme is aimed at providing practical training in bio-enzyme production, value addition, quality control, packaging, branding and marketing, with a focus on developing sustainable micro-enterprises.
Addressing the inaugural session, the Vice Chancellor highlighted the potential of converting agricultural and kitchen waste into value-added and eco-friendly products. He said such initiatives were in line with the university’s mandate of translating research and knowledge into entrepreneurship and self-reliance, and urged participants to use the training to establish enterprises and contribute to the green economy.
President of the Bio-Enzyme Entrepreneurs Academy of India, Priti Rao, highlighted the potential of bio-enzyme-based enterprises across the country and outlined the technical and market support available through the Academy.
The programme includes classroom sessions, hands-on demonstrations and interactions with resource persons and industry experts. Participants will also visit landfills, waste disposal areas and fruit mandis to gain practical exposure to waste management and bio-enzyme production.
The inaugural function was attended by senior university officers and faculty members, academicians, scientists, entrepreneurs and trainees. Among those present were Director Extension Prof Raihana Habib Kanth, Director Education Prof M. Altaf Bhat, Registrar Prof Azmat Alam Khan, Er Ab Rashid Bhat, Mahendra Pyati and B.C. Kiran.
During the event, a booklet titled ‘A Genuine Startup Dosage: Hazrat Sheikh ul Alam (RA) Entrepreneurship Model’, authored by Naveed Hamid, CEO, SKIIE Centre, was also launched.
Startup products of M/s XYVA Naturals Pvt. Ltd. and the SKUAST-K SAFART Passport, conceptualised by Hamid and developed by Muaolim, a B.Tech Biotechnology student, were also launched.
The inaugural session concluded with a pledge ceremony led by the CEO, SKIIE Centre, during which participants committed themselves to responsible and sustainable entrepreneurial practices.
