Srinagar: The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar on Tuesday organised a one-day workshop on the MSME Design Scheme to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and industry-academia collaboration in Jammu and Kashmir.
The workshop, held at the institute’s Common Hall, was organised by the Department of Mechanical Engineering in collaboration with the Greenovator Incubation Foundation (GIF)–NIT Srinagar and sponsored by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India. Entrepreneurs, startups, faculty members and students participated in the programme.
The event began with the inauguration of an MSME project stall at Indus Park, followed by a day-long deliberation on strengthening the MSME and startup ecosystem in the region. NIT Registrar Prof. Atikur Rehman presided over the function, while Assistant Director, MSME-DFO Srinagar, Saheel Allaqband, was the guest of honour. Dean Alumni and International Affairs Prof. M.A. Shah, Prof. Nazir Ahmed Sheikh and other faculty members were also present. Dr. Dinesh Kumar Rajendran served as the nodal officer and convenor.
In his address, NIT Director Prof. Binod Kumar Kanaujia said empowering MSMEs through structured support mechanisms such as the Design Scheme aligns with the vision of self-reliance and economic resilience. He reiterated the institute’s commitment to promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.
Saheel Allaqband highlighted various flagship schemes of the MSME Ministry and encouraged entrepreneurs to avail financial and technical assistance under the Design Scheme. He stressed the importance of formal registration, digital compliance, quality certification and participation in government procurement platforms for sustainable growth.
Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department Dr. M. Hanief said the department would continue to support MSMEs through technical expertise, laboratory facilities, prototyping and consultancy services, adding that academic institutions must actively address real-world industrial challenges.
Registrar Prof. Atikur Rehman underlined the role of MSMEs in employment generation and economic development and emphasised the need for continuous engagement between policymakers, academia and industry stakeholders. He also encouraged entrepreneurs to collaborate with NIT Srinagar for research-based product development and commercialization of innovative ideas.
In his welcome address, Dr. Dinesh Kumar Rajendran explained the objectives of the workshop and the significance of the MSME Design Scheme in enhancing product competitiveness through expert design intervention and financial assistance. Dr. Saad Parvez of Greenovator Incubation Foundation spoke about incubation support in transforming innovative ideas into viable enterprises and called for stronger industry-academia collaboration in the Union Territory.
The technical sessions covered funding opportunities in MSMEs, facilitation support through MSME Process and Product Development Centres (PPDCs), the startup ecosystem, application procedures for the Design Scheme and procurement opportunities through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) platform. Sessions were conducted by Saheel Allaqband, Ajaz Hussain, Dr. Saad Parvez, Dr. Dinesh Kumar Rajendran and Tauseef Jeelani along with Mudassir Qadir.
The programme concluded with a valedictory session and certificate distribution, during which selected entrepreneurs and MSME representatives were felicitated for their contributions to strengthening the local enterprise ecosystem. Organisers urged participants to utilise government support mechanisms to achieve sustainable growth and competitiveness.
