Design Innovation Centre - CUK

The students of the Food Product Processing diploma program at the Design Innovation Centre, Central University of Kashmir, undertook a four-day pilot visit to the University of Kashmir from 21-04-2026 to 24-04-2026.

During the visit, the students gained practical exposure to the canning process, an important component of their one-year diploma curriculum. This hands-on learning experience enhanced their understanding of food preservation techniques and industry practices.

The Design Innovation Centre continues to nurture students by equipping them with essential skills and knowledge, empowering them to become self-reliant and industry-ready professionals.

Students of the One-Year Diploma Course in Food Production and Processing under the Design Innovation Centre (DIC), Central University of Kashmir, Ganderbal, actively participated in a hands-on practical class conducted as part of their ongoing training programme.

The session provided students with valuable insights into various aspects of food production techniques and processing methods, helping them gain essential skills for the industry

Students from the Food Product Processing program at Design Innovation Centre (DIC), Central University of Kashmir, participated in an educational visit to the "GONGUL" 2026 AgriTech Mela at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Shalimar Campus, on February 16, 2026.The event, themed “NextGen Agriculture: My Produce - My Price,” featured over 400 stalls showcasing innovations in agriculture, horticulture, food processing technologies, startups, and value-added products like organic farming exhibits and agri-art.The primary objective was to expose students to cutting-edge ideas and real-world applications, fostering an innovative mindset essential for future designers and entrepreneurs in food product development.

Computer Aided Design Workshop

Workshop on ‘Computer-Aided Design for Kashmiri
Crafts’ culminates at CUKashmir

Ganderbal, Feb 16: The 10-day workshop on “Computer-Aided Design (CAD) for Kashmiri Crafts,” organised by the Design Innovation Centre (DIC), Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir), for the artisans, culminated at the Tulmulla Campus here on Monday.

Addressing the valedictory function, Registrar, Dr. Nisar Ahmad Mir, expressed satisfaction at the progress demonstrated by participants within a short span of time. “Even if one learns something in a single day, it is meaningful. Seeing your presentations today is heartening—it shows that learning has indeed taken place,” he observed. He proposed creation of a “digital diary” to track the progress of trainees after the workshop, ensuring sustained engagement and follow-up support. “We must see what our trainees do after they leave. Do they need additional support? Can we guide them further? Continuous mentoring is the need of the hour,” he said. CUKashmir Registrar lauded the visionary leadership of Vice Chancellor, Prof. A. Ravinder Nath and said, “such impactful initiatives are a direct reflection of the Vice Chancellor’s commitment to empowering youth and artisans through meaningful academic outreach.” Dr. Mir emphasised that while financial stability is important, the pursuit of knowledge and humility must guide one’s journey. “Search for comforts in life, not luxuries. As long as we chase only luxuries, we lose balance,” he advised.

Addressing the participants, Director, DIC, Prof. Shahid Rasool, described the workshop as “just the beginning” of a long-term engagement between the University and the artisan community. He emphasised that in today’s competitive marketplace, design and presentation play a vital role in determining a product’s visibility and success. “If you have ten products on the shelf, how will your product stand out?” he remarked, underscoring the importance of visual appeal and packaging. “What attracts you first is the design. How you package your product to make it attractive becomes the first step. Quality and content are equally important, but packaging draws the initial attention.” He elaborated on the technical nuances of design, including colour combinations, placement, aspect ratios, and proportional balance. Prof. Shahid Rasool noted that “Design is about understanding elements and playing with them creatively. Every shift in placement creates a new dimension,” he added. He urged the participants to embrace digital innovation and artificial intelligence (AI) as enabling tools rather than perceiving them as threats.

Speaking on the occasion, Joint Director DIC, Dr. Javid Ahmad Wani, said the workshop featured hands-on training in CAD software applications. “Resource persons guided artisans through practical exercises, encouraging experimentation with colour schemes, layout dynamics, and product visualisation,” he further said, adding that more such programmes would be conducted in near future.

Sharing their feedback, the participants expressed gratitude to the CUKashmir for organising the transformative workshop and described the 10-day training as an eye-opener. They exhibited the digital designs and prototypes developed during the workshop. Later certificates were distributed among the participants.

Coordinator, DIC, Dr. Firdous Ahmad Sofal conducted the proceedings and proposed the vote of thanks.

Ministry of Education
Design Innovation Centre - CUK

Blending Tradition with Technology
CUKashmir starts workshop on Computer-Aided Design for Kashmiri crafts
Ganderbal, Feb 5: With an aim to blend tradition with technology, the Design Innovation Centre (DIC), Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir), started a 10-day workshop on “Computer-Aided Design (CAD) for Kashmiri Crafts,” for artisans at Tulmulla Campus here.
Inaugurating the workshop, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A. Ravinder Nath, described the event as a wonderful initiative to safeguard Kashmir’s cultural identity while strengthening livelihoods. Emphasizing Kashmir’s global reputation as a seat of knowledge and craftsmanship, the Vice-Chancellor noted that sustaining handicrafts is not merely an economic necessity but a cultural imperative. “Crafts are identity. To keep them alive, we must understand markets, consumer psychology, cultural symbolism and design aesthetics. Technology helps sharpen creativity while minimising physical effort,” he said, adding that future-ready artisans must be conversant with emerging tools such as automation, digital design and artificial intelligence.
He shared his vision of transforming the DIC into a community-college-style hub for skill development, inspired by global best practices.
Highlighting the advantages of computer-aided design, Director DIC, Prof. Shahid Rasool said the digital designing reduces material wastage, enhances sustainability, improves cost-effectiveness and enables artisans to experiment freely without physical loss. He emphasised that CAD not only helps preserve endangered Kashmiri motifs but also enables the creation of new designs that appeal to contemporary tastes and global markets. Stressing the hands-on nature of the programme, he said that each participant would be required to present a tangible digital design outcome at the conclusion of the workshop.
In his address, Registrar, Dr. Nisar Ahmad Mir, appreciated the role of the DIC in promoting skill-based education aligned with national priorities. He observed that Kashmiri crafts—ranging from carpets and shawls to papier-mâché and woodwork—are deeply linked with tourism and local livelihoods and must evolve with time. Drawing parallels with global models of skill development, Dr. Mir said that digital tools such as CAD can significantly ease traditional design processes, improve quality control and enhance market competitiveness, while retaining the essence of handmade craftsmanship.
In his address, Director IICT, Mr. Zubair Ahmad Mir, lauded the DIC for initiating a timely and outcome-oriented programme aimed at empowering Kashmiri artisans through digital intervention. He said that Computer-Aided Design provides a crucial bridge between handcrafted traditions and contemporary market demands by enabling artisans to visualise, refine and customise designs before ex*****on.
Joint Director DIC, Dr. Javid Ahmad Wani, who conducted the programme proceedings, said the workshop aims to equip participants with modern digital tools to preserve, innovate and market Kashmir’s rich craft heritage in a rapidly evolving global marketplace. He added that the initiative marks a step by CUKashmir towards empowering craft communities through innovation, sustainability and inclusive growth.
Coordinator, DIC, Dr. Firdous Ahmad Sofal proposed the vote of thanks. (Issued by the Public Relations Officer)

10 Day CAD Workshop for Kashmiri Crafts
Design Innovation Centre - CUK

Call for Entries
Design Innovation Hackathon - Handlooms & Handicrafts

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, in collaboration with My Bharat and the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, has launched a national-level design competition titled “Design for Bharat.”
The initiative aims to encourage young minds across India to create design-led solutions that address real-world challenges and contribute to the nation’s development.
Students can register and submit their entries through the official competition portal on My Bharat:
👉 https://mybharat.gov.in/pages/vbyld_2026

CUKashmir holds DIC’s Steering Committee Meeting
Ganderbal, Nov 2: The Steering Committee Meeting of the Design Innovation Centre (DIC), Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir) was held at varsity’s Green Campus here on Saturday, with Vice Chancellor, Prof. A Ravinder Nath in chair.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. A Ravinder Nath, outlined his vision for strengthening the DIC and emphasized the importance of integrating its activities with the upcoming School of Interdisciplinary and Vocational Studies. He reiterated the need to position the DIC as a foundational platform for fostering innovation, enhancing local craftsmanship, supporting entrepreneurship and skill development and aligning with national educational and developmental priorities.
Prof. Shahid Rasool, Director DIC, gave a detailed account about the Centre’s achievements since its establishment under the National Initiative for Design Innovation (NIDI), Ministry of Education. He elaborated on the structure and functioning of the DIC, various training programmes and workshops conducted over the years, prototypes developed in the areas of crafts, herbal medicine, food technology and design products and the status of ongoing admissions. He also gave a comprehensive review of the financial position, fund utilization pattern and future expansion and development plans of the Centre.
The meeting was attended by external experts- Prof. Manish Arora, Coordinator DIC, Banaras Hindu University; Mr. Sudhakar N. Rao, Director of the Culinary Academy of India and Dr. Shahid Rasool, Principal Scientist, the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, who provided valuable insights based on their experiences in design innovation, product development, and institutional collaboration.
Mr. Rao stressed the need to ensure that the Food Processing Laboratory adheres to university standards and suggested that the food products developed in the lab should initially be marketed within the university before being scaled to wider markets. He recommended building collaborations with institutions such as SBI, J&K Bank, and other agencies for supporting food entrepreneurship and innovation-based ventures. Prof. Manish Arora emphasized the importance of forging strong national-level partnerships to ensure the long-term sustainability of the DIC. He highlighted the need to link the Centre’s activities with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 so that it remains relevant, vibrant, and growth-oriented in the years to come. Dr. Shahid Rasool, Principal, IIIM, underscored the vast potential of herbal medicine, aroma technology and natural product innovation in the region and recommended a more focused and research-driven approach in these areas.
Presenting the meeting agenda, Joint Director DIC, Dr. Javaid Ahmad Wani, underscored the urgent need to cultivate design thinking among local artisans to help them move beyond traditional patterns and adopt a more innovative, user-centric approach to product development. He emphasized that strengthening creative problem-solving skills at the grassroots level is essential for enhancing the quality, appeal and marketability of Kashmiri crafts in national and international markets.
Dr. Firdous Ahmad Sofal, Coordinator, gave an overview of the Centre’s functioning since its inception and stressed the need for relocating and strengthening the spoke centres to ensure that the DIC extends its reach across South, Central, and North Kashmir. Spoke coordinators, Dr. Farooq Ahmad Shah and Dr. Mansoor Ahmad Lone, shared their views and suggestions regarding outreach, training activities, and engagement with local artisans and communities. Dr. Firdous Ahmad Sofal proposed the vote of thanks.
(Issued through Public Relations Office CUK)

CUKashmir’s DIC showcase innovations at DIC meet

New Delhi, Nov 5: Design Innovation Centre (DIC), Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir) participated in the 5th All India DIC Meet held on 3rd and 4th November at IIT Delhi here.
The two-day event brought together Design Innovation Centres (DICs), Ekalpas, and Open Design Schools (ODS) from across the country to showcase their innovations and discuss the progress of the DIC initiative under the Ministry of Education, Government of India.

On 3rd November 2025, a Coordinators’ Meeting was held, in which Prof. Shahid Rasool, Director DIC, and Dr. Javid Ahmad Wani, Joint Director DIC, represented the CUKashmir. The meeting deliberated on key aspects related to the functioning and collaboration of DICs nationwide.

On 4th November 2025, DIC CUKashmir established a stall to exhibit the innovative products developed under its various trades and projects. Chief Guest, Ms. Manmohan Kour, Advisor, Ministry of Education, Government of India, and Mr. S. K. Samatray, Director, Government of India, visited the stall and appreciated the Centre’s efforts for its active participation and for showcasing innovative products.

The participation of DIC, CUKashmir, in the national meet provided an opportunity to share ideas, network with other DICs, and highlight the innovative capabilities nurtured at the University.
CU Kashmir
Ministry of Education
PMO India