MoE’s Nat’l Innovation Rankings 2022-23
Bivek Mathur
JAMMU, Nov 18: Only two institutes of Jammu and Kashmir-the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) Awantipora, and the Model Institute of Engineering and Technology (MIET) Jammu-have figured in the list of top performing institutes in the National Innovation Rankings released by the Innovation Cell of the Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India.
While the IUST has been awarded a 4/5 star ranking for its commendable efforts in nurturing innovation, fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem, and building the capacity of the youth the MIET Jammu has received a 3.5/5 star ranking and the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar and the University of Kashmir have been awarded 2/5 star rankings.
Meanwhile, 54 other Institutes of the region, including 26 Government and private universities and colleges from Jammu region, and 28 from Kashmir region, have also figured in the list but with a dismal rating of 1/5 star ranking.
Notably, IUST has achieved a remarkable 4-star ranking, distinguishing it as one of the few institutes in the country and the sole institution from Jammu and Kashmir to attain this status.
Leading the way is IUST’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (CIED), playing a pivotal role in motivating and guiding youth to translate innovative ideas into successful ventures. The institute actively provides mentorship support to aspiring entrepreneurs and extends seed capital grants to start-ups nationwide.
Commending the collective efforts of the IUST fraternity, Prof Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, the Vice-Chancellor of IUST, highlighted the significance of collaborative initiatives between IUST and industry partners. He sees this as the onset of an entrepreneurial revolution that will significantly contribute to the prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir.
Expressing gratitude to the Government of India and the UT administration for their generous support to IUST in fostering a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and startups in the region, Prof Romshoo explained that CIED IUST-Foundation, a registered Section 8 company, stands as the pioneer and the exclusive incubator in Jammu and Kashmir. It provides substantial capital support of up to 50 lakhs to individual startups through the Startup Seed Capital Fund Scheme of the DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
Speaking about the remarkable achievement of the institution, Prof Ankur Gupta, Director, Model Institute of Engineering and Technology (MIET) Jammu, said, “this is a big milestone for the institution and it shows the importance that we place on innovation, research, and development. It also shows that our students and faculty are very committed to producing high-quality research and innovation.”
According to Prof Gupta, MIET has filed 38 patents in the past five years. Of them, 5 have been granted so far. Besides, the Institute has to its credit 10 design registrations and a product developed for software, which the institute is about to roll out commercially through start-ups soon.
“Our institute has achieved several other milestones that need to be cheered by the broader community,” he said.
On the scope of support from J&K and the Union Government to the private sector, he said, “unlike Government and other allied sectors, the support to the private sector in the region is comparatively less but it needs to be increased significantly, keeping in focus the support other private institutions across the country are getting from their Governments.”
Among other institutes of the region which have figured in the list are Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU) Rajouri, Central University of Jammu, Central University of Kashmir, Cluster University of Srinagar (CLUS), Girdhari Lal Dogra Memorial College Kathua, Government College of Engineering and Technology (GCET) Srinagar, Government Degree College (GDC) Kupwara, GDC Surankote, GDC Pulwama, GDC Jammu, GDC Bandipora, Government General Zorawar Singh Memorial College Jammu, GDC Handwara, Government College of Women Nawakadal, Government College of Women Udhampur, Government College of Engineering and Technology (GCET) Jammu, GDC Bemina, GDC Pulwama, GDC Beerwah, GDC Bijbehara, GDC Baramulla, GDC (Boys) Sopore, GDC (Boys) Anantnag, GDC (Women) Pulwama, GDC (Women) Kathua, GDC (Women) Anantnag, GDC Ganderbal, GDC Kulgam, GDC Kupwara, GDC Tral, GDC Bishnah, GDC Doda, GDC Kathua, GDC Mendhar, GDC RS Pura, GDC Ramban, GDC Ramnagar, GDC Thannamandi, GDC Kilam, Kulgam, Government Polytechnic College Reasi, Government Polytechnic College Ramban, Government SPMR College of Commerce Jammu, Hassan Khoyihami Memorial Bandipora, IIT Jammu, Indian Institute of Management Sciences Jammu, Islamia College of Science and Commerce Srinagar, SP College Srinagar, Sheikh-ul-Alam (RA) Memorial Budgam, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Science and Technology Srinagar, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) Katra, SSM College of Engineering Baramulla, Stephen Institute of Paramedical Sciences Jammu, University of Jammu, and Yogananda College of Engineering and Technology Jammu.