 Early Times Report
JAMMU, July 9: In a major initiative to strengthen industry-academia collaboration, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu signed a Memorandum of Understanding with VKC Nuts Private Limited to promote collaborative research, innovation, skill development and technology commercialization in the agri-food sector. The MoU was signed by Dr. S. K. Gupta, Director Research, SKUAST-Jammu, and Gagan Jain, Director, VKC Nuts Pvt. Ltd., in the presence of Prof. B. N. Tripathi, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu, along with statutory officers. Speaking on the occasion, Prof. B. N. Tripathi, Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor, said that the collaboration represents SKUAST-Jammu's commitment to integrating academic excellence with industrial expertise. He emphasized that the partnership would provide students with practical industry exposure, promote demand-driven research, enhance employability and accelerate the commercialization of innovative technologies for the benefit of farmers, entrepreneurs and the agri-food industry. On this occasion, Mr. Gagan Jain was also appointed as Professor of Practice at SKUAST-Jammu in recognition of his rich industrial expertise. He will contribute to industry-oriented teaching, mentoring and capacity building of students. The collaboration envisages joint research projects, industry-funded Ph.D. and Master's research, student internships, industrial training, knowledge exchange, joint workshops and seminars, CSR-supported research, commercialization of technologies, and testing of industrial products. The programme was coordinated by Prof. Sanjay Guleria, In-charge, Counselling and Placement Cell, and Dean, Faculty of Basic Sciences. The MoU will remain effective for an initial period of five years with provision for renewal by mutual consent. |
