 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Sept 10: In a significant step towards strengthening industry-academia engagement, Manish Vij, Managing Partner, Smile Group and Founder, Vaana Ventures, announced three major collaborative initiatives with the Centre for IT Enabled Services & Emerging Technologies (CITES&ET), University of Jammu, during an interactive session held at the Centre.
The initiatives include a Startup Conclave under the Start-up & Innovation Vertical of CITES&ET, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors and innovators; a Structured Mentorship Programme for Startups, aimed at providing sustained, hands-on guidance to student and campus-based ventures; and a Joint Artificial Intelligence Project under the Capacity Building & Training Vertical of the Centre, focusing on AI-driven research, skills and capacity development.
Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, reaffirmed the University's commitment to developing CITES&ET as a state-of-the-art centre equipped with advanced technological infrastructure and contemporary facilities. He said the Centre would serve as a key institutional platform for technology-driven innovation, industry engagement, entrepreneurship and research, in keeping with the University's vision of becoming a future-ready institution.
Speaking at the session, Vij emphasised that given the rapid pace of technological and corporate change the universities must prepare students not merely as job seekers but as entrepreneurs, innovators and adaptable professionals capable of navigating an uncertain future.
He stressed the importance of developing specialised, micro-level expertise that can be applied across disciplines, observing that specialised knowledge creates greater impact when integrated with multiple domains. He also underlined the pivotal role of faculty in developing students' technical capabilities, adaptability, creativity and problem-solving skills. Speaking on the upcoming Engineering Kitchen, Vij envisioned that CITES&ET is evolving beyond a conventional IT services centre into a dynamic hub for technology, innovation, experimentation and Artificial Intelligence.
Prof. Dheer Singh, Director, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, and Dr. Neeraj Sharma, Registrar, University of Jammu, also graced the session.
Dr. Guneet Singh Sudan, Director, CITES&ET, presented the Centre's vision and roadmap, highlighting key initiatives across technology, research, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and capacity building. He informed that the Centre is taking steps toward promoting AI literacy and is set to establish a dedicated Cyber Cell which is critical considering the growing security challenges of the digital age. In a significant announcement, he also unveiled the plan for setting up Engineering Kitchen, an innovative practical space designed to empower students to experiment with ideas, build prototypes, and develop real-world solutions, fostering a culture of hands-on innovation.
Er. Jaswinder Kour, Service & Development Engineer, CITES&ET, outlined the Centre's six strategic verticals: Internet & Networking, E-Governance, Web & Software Development, Capacity Building & Training, Incubation & Research, and Start-up & Innovation and highlighted its major projects and forthcoming technology initiatives. |
