Awantipora, Jul 16: Across schools in Jammu and Kashmir, students are building projects that address challenges in their classrooms, schools, and communities. Yet, for many students, the journey ends after exhibitions, competitions, or classroom presentations, with limited access to the mentorship, networks, and opportunities needed to take their projects further.
To address this gap, Pi Jam Foundation organised Raah: Strengthening Pathways for Student Innovators in Schools, an initiative held on 16 July 2026 at the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (CIED), Islamic University of Science & Technology (IUST), Awantipora, in association with Department of school education and IUST.
The initiative brought together student innovators, educators, academic institutions, government departments, industry representatives, incubation centres, mentors, and ecosystem partners to explore how stronger collaboration can create more structured pathways for student innovation in Jammu & Kashmir.
The programme was inaugurated by registrar, Prof. Shameem Ahmad Shah, Islamic University of Science and Technology.
Representatives from the Department of School Education Kashmir, Islamic university of science and technology, NIT Srinagar, Samagra Shiksha, J&K Board of School Education, and other organisations working across education, innovation, entrepreneurship, and incubation were present in the event.
A key highlight of the event was the Student Innovation Showcase, where 18 student innovators from around 10 schools across Kashmir, accompanied by their teachers and parents, presented projects addressing real-world challenges. The showcase provided students with an opportunity to engage directly with educators, government officials, incubators, industry experts, and ecosystem partners, receiving feedback while exploring opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, incubation, and further development.
Shoaib Dar, CEO, Pi Jam Foundation, said, “Raah is effort to bring together the stakeholders who can help shape the journey of young innovators. Across our schools, students are developing innovative solutions to real-world challenges, but many of these ideas need the right support to move forward.”
