Baba Nazar-ul-Islam proposes Mobile Innovation Lab for border, far-flung schools
SRINAGAR: Baba Nazar-ul-Islam, President of the Private Schools’ Association Jammu & Kashmir (PSAJK), while addressing the conclave “RAAH – Strengthening Pathways for Students’ Innovations in Schools” as the Special Guest, presented a visionary roadmap for fostering innovation, incubation, and entrepreneurship across private schools in the Union Territory.
In his address, Dr. Nazar-ul-Islam emphasized that schools must evolve beyond conventional learning by nurturing creativity, critical thinking, research aptitude, problem-solving abilities, and entrepreneurial skills among students. He stressed that the future of education lies in creating innovation-driven ecosystems where young minds are encouraged to ideate, experiment, and develop solutions to real-world challenges.
Highlighting the need for equitable access to innovation, Dr. Nazar-ul-Islam proposed the establishment of a Mobile Innovation Lab dedicated to students from border and far-flung areas of Jammu & Kashmir. The proposed initiative aims to bridge the innovation and digital divide by bringing hands-on learning in robotics, coding, artificial intelligence, electronics, design thinking, and STEM education directly to underserved schools.
He urged Pi Jam Foundation to explore a collaborative partnership with the Private Schools’ Association J&K to conceptualize and implement this transformative initiative so that every student, irrespective of geographical location, has access to quality innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities.
The conclave was presided over by Prof. Shamim Ahmad Shah, Registrar, Islamic University of Science & Technology (IUST). Distinguished dignitaries present included Prof. G. N. Itoo, Director, Centre for Good Governance and Policy, IUST; Prof. Parvaiz Mir, Director/CEO, CIED-IUST Foundation; Adv. Nadeem Qadiri, Founder Director, Nature School and noted environmentalist; Dr. Arif, Director Academics, JKBOSE; and Mr. Shoaib Dar, Director, Pi Jam Foundation J&K, who co-hosted the event along with an eminent panel of experts from industry, academia, and educational institutions.
The conclave concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen innovation pathways for school students and build a vibrant culture of research, incubation, and entrepreneurship across Jammu & Kashmir.
Various young innovators from Schools and colleges pitched their creative ideas for seed funding and handholding which was hailed all across the board.