Pulwama, Press Release: In a significant boost to the entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem of Jammu and Kashmir, the MSME Incubator at the CIED-IUST Foundation was inaugurated at the IUST Innovation Campus. The initiative marks a major milestone in fostering innovation-driven enterprises, technology-based startups, and entrepreneurship among students, researchers, and aspiring entrepreneurs. It is expected to strengthen the region’s startup ecosystem by providing a supportive platform for transforming innovative ideas into scalable and sustainable ventures.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Prof. Sheikh Ajaz Bashir, Dean Academic Affairs, IUST ,Sh. A.K. Tamaria, IEDS, Joint Director & Head of Office, MSME Development and Facilitation Office (DFO), Jammu, Sh. Saheel Alaqband, IEDS, Assistant Director, MSME DFO Branch Srinagar, Prof. Parvez A. Mir, CEO, CIED-IUST Foundation, Mr. Sameer Wazir, Finance Officer, IUST, coordinators and members of the CIED-IUST Foundation, faculty members, and a large gathering of students from Government Polytechnic College and IUST.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Sheikh Ajaz Bashir, Dean Academic Affairs, IUST emphasized the importance of nurturing an innovation-led culture within higher educational institutions. He reaffirmed the University’s commitment to creating an enabling ecosystem that encourages entrepreneurship, innovation, and enterprise development among students and young innovators.
Addressing the gathering, Sh. A.K. Tamaria highlighted the Ministry of MSME’s sustained efforts to promote innovation-based enterprises through incubation support and urged aspiring entrepreneurs to take advantage of the wide range of opportunities and assistance available under various MSME schemes.
Sh. Saheel Alaqband underscored the significance of the MSME Incubator in converting innovative ideas into successful business ventures and assured continued support from the MSME Development and Facilitation Office to startups and entrepreneurs across the region.
Welcoming the distinguished guests, Prof. Parvez A. Mir, CEO, CIED-IUST Foundation, outlined the Foundation’s vision of building a vibrant innovation ecosystem through strategic partnerships, incubation support, and entrepreneurial capacity building. He noted that the establishment of the MSME Incubator represents another important milestone in the Foundation’s mission to empower innovators, strengthen the startup ecosystem, and contribute to the socio-economic development of the region.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Shamim Ahmed, Manager, CIED-IUST Foundation, who expressed gratitude to the dignitaries, participants, and stakeholders for their valuable presence and support. He encouraged students and aspiring entrepreneurs to consider entrepreneurship as a promising career path and to make full use of the incubation facilities and support mechanisms available through the CIED-IUST Foundation and the Ministry of MSME.
