IUST to establish Center for Industry 4.0

PULWAMA — In a significant development aimed at fostering innovation and driving the adoption of Industry 4.0 standards, the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India, to establish the Centre for Industry 4.0 (C4i4) at the university.

The initiative, facilitated by the Ministry of Heavy Industries, is set to establish a premier centre focused on enhancing the competitiveness of Medium and Small Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in India, particularly in the Jammu and Kashmir region.

The C4i4 is anticipated to catalyze an innovative ecosystem at the university and promote industrial growth through collaborations between the government, the industrial sector, and technology firms.

A delegation from the Ministry of Heavy Industries and C4i4, Pune, led by Director Shri Dattatraya Navalgundkar and Head of Operations Dr Rajesh Pahadi, visited IUST to formalize the establishment of the Center. IUST was chosen for this prestigious project, being one of 10 such centers nationwide, in recognition of its contributions to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.

The MOU signing event, chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, saw the presence of officials from the Ministry of Heavy Industries, C4i4 Pune, and IUST, including Prof. A H Moon, Prof. W Bari, and Mr Sameer Wazir, the Director of CIED, along with heads of Engineering Departments.

Prof. Romshoo underscored IUST’s commitment to bridging academia with industry and business to nurture skilled human resources. He highlighted the opportunity for India, particularly Jammu and Kashmir, to emerge as a manufacturing hub through digital transformation, thus enhancing the global competitiveness of local industries.

Prof. Romshoo emphasized the pivotal role of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in equipping the youth with Industry 4.0 skills, leveraging India’s demographic advantage.

Further emphasizing the growth potential in Jammu and Kashmir across various sectors like renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and robotics, Prof. Romshoo reaffirmed IUST’s dedication to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and start-ups.

Prof. A H Moon added that IUST’s national recognition for its skilling and innovation initiatives through centers like the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (CIED), Design Innovation Centre (DIC), the KALAM Academy of Skill and Training, among others, would receive a significant boost through the establishment of C4i4.