The 4th meeting of the Governing Council of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Technology Business Incubation Centre Society (SMVDU-TBIC) was held on 20th Feb 2018. The meeting was chaired by Prof. Sanjeev Jain, Vice Chancellor SMVDU and ex-officio Chairperson of the Governing Council of the Society. SMVDU-TBIC, is established at SMVD University, Katra with the Grant-in-aid jointly from NSTEDB, DST, MoST, Government of India and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University with an objective to identify potential innovative technology-based ideas and facilitate these into independent self-sustaining businesses.

The other members who attended the meeting were, Dr. Abdul Rashid, Secretary DoST, J&K Government, Prof. V.K Bhat Registrar SMVDU, Prof. V.Verma Dean Faculty of Engineering SMVDU, Dr. Sushil K Mehta, Head School of Business, Dr. Kumud Jha Head of School of Electronic and Communication, Dr. Ashutosh Vashishtha, Coordinator SMVDU-TBIC. Dr. Mehrajudin Bhat, Joint Director J&K Government S&T Department. Dr. Swarkar Sharma, Interim CEO SMVDU-TBIC and member secretary apprised members of the various activities and procedures of the society. All the members appreciated the initiatives taken by SMVDU-TBIC, to promote entrepreneurship and support the innovations in the state of J&K.

In the meeting, Chairperson Dr. Sanjeev Jain suggested that SMVDU-TBIC should work towards promoting innovations leading to manufacturing and product development & efforts should be more on creating outreach to extreme locations of the state. He said that seeking innovative ideas and the creation of Intellectual property within the state, to increase the domestic productions and value addition, would result in more job creation in J&K. Dr. Rashid said that J&K DST will provide support the best possible way in this quest of SMVDU TBIC. Dr. Swarkar Sharma apprised the council members about the performance of SMVDU-TBIC. He informed that SMVDU-TBIC has utilized DST sanctioned grant in last financial year to greater extent by building efficient high-tech resources. These setups are to be made available for prototype development. The council has been informed that SMVDU-TBIC along with support from SMVDU Startup Cell (TEQIP III) is also working towards development of a Tinkering lab, to create open environment for scientific behavior, innovation and creativity for the students of the institution. The facility will be a common platform linking various fields for innovation. It will have computational facilities with advanced equipments like 3D printers, Multi-layer circuit printer, fabrication facility etc. SMVDU-TBIC has received funds from NSTEDB, Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India under the NIDHI-Seed Support Scheme in order to further support the innovative ideas and physically incubated startups. Additionally, SMVDU-TBIC also has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with J&K bank with the main objective to support the Startups. Dr. Sharma informed members that SMVDU has recently revised its IP policy and developed an IP management and Standing Committee (IPMSC). The committee will develop procedures for execution of activities related to IP management like patent filing, as well as commercialization like technology transfer etc. and on the lines, an agreement has been signed with a TIFAC approved firm K&S Partners as facilitator. Keeping a unique integration of academia, industry, government and other entities in the startup ecosystem, SMVDU-TBIC has kept its online application portal open 24x7 at its website www.smvdutbic.org. It was informed that Techno-preneurs from all across the state are welcome to participate and for any enquiries can contact SMVDU-TBIC.