Awantipora: Islamic University of Science & Technology (IUST) Awantipora is scaling new heights in the field of Research & Development and has recently bagged 20 innovative research projects from the J&K Science, Technology & Innovation Council (JKSTIC), highest for any institution in JKUT.
“The projects would boost innovation and entrepreneurship in areas of scientific and societal importance as the research funding has been made to the IUST keeping in view the specific objectives and requirements of the Government for overall socio-economic development of the UT. The awarded research projects are in the fields of engineering, technology, computer science, food technology, mathematical sciences and other allied disciplines,” said a spokesperson of the varsity.
While complimenting the faculty members, Vice Chancellor IUST Prof. Shakil A. Romshoo, noted the significance of these projects for IUST in improving the innovation, incubation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the University in addition to other initiatives. “We have recently rolled out a strategy that envisions achieving a high standard of quality research, innovation, entrepreneurship and start-ups in the IUST. The University has established the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (CIED) with six verticals to promote the use of Science and Technology for providing innovative solutions to various societal problems in the UT,” VC IUST said.
He also added, “In response to the call for Expression of Interest, CIED has recently received about 100 innovative proposals and ideas related to the development of various products, processes and services from the students and individuals of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir and also beyond for the development of potential start-ups. The University intends to financially support 30 of these innovative ideas with a seed grant of about Rs. 5.00 lakhs per idea/proposal and incubate them at the University so that these can reach up to the start-up level viably.”
Additionally, considering IUST’s highly recognized innovative work during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Design Innovation Centre (DIC), one of the six verticals of the CIED has been granted another innovative project by J&K DST for the development of prototype for low-cost Frugal, Bag Valve bagged mechanical ventilator.
It is pertinent to mention that during the pandemic, IUST successfully deployed a fully functional modular and low-cost negative pressure chamber for isolation of COVID-19 patients at the Chest Diseases Hospital Srinagar, and developed a frugal ventilator prototype RUHDAAR and face shields for medical practitioners as part of its continuing Institutional Social Responsibility (ISR).
