KU’s Department of Bioresources, Showcased their first startup in Services Sector at Kashmir Expo-2022 at SKICC Srinagar

KU’s Department of Bioresources, Showcased their first startup in Services Sector at Kashmir Expo-2022 at SKICC Srinagar

Srinagar, November 9: Hon'ble Union Minister of State for Prime Minister's Office and Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the three-day 'Kashmir Expo Start-ups for Livelihood' event-2022 at SKICC Srinagar. During the Kashmir Expo a total of 50 Start-ups from across the country showcased their start-ups. On the occasion Department of Bioresources, University of Kashmir led by Head, Dr Manzoor Ahmad Mir also showcased their first Start-up in Services sector “Free Breast Cancer Awareness, Screening and Early detection”. During the Expo Hon’ble Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh visited the Start-up stall of Department of Bioresources and complimented the team led by Dr Manzoor Ahmad Mir, and directed him to tie up with the other national laboratories like NCL-Pune who are working in the field and to come up with small low-cost gadgets to detect the breast cancer at early stages so that the same can reach to rural populations which can in turn reduce the burden of breast cancer. The Commission Secretary Science Technology and Innovation Council (JKST&IC) Govt of J&K (UT) Shri Saurabh Bhagat apprised the Minister that this start-up is a joint venture of Department of Bioresources and Department of Science and Technology. In the start-up stall the Minister was appraised that the Department of Bioresources, University of Kashmir in collaboration with JKST&IC has started the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign across the valley and covered as many as 15 Degree colleges across the valley and made a documentary on Breast Cancer Awareness which includes the expert view of all stake holders from scientists to Doctors to academicians and administrators besides the views of survivors and the college students and general public. The documentary has covered the entire glimpse of this one-month long awareness programme and has covered all general aspects of breast cancer awareness including the statistics, breast self-examination as well as the signs and symptoms. The documentary presented the entire scenario of breast cancer in Kashmir valley and expert opinions from the leading oncologists and researchers of the valley. In addition, the Department of Bioresources has developed a comprehensive website which includes all almost all the information regarding Breast cancer from documentaries to books to expert views to workshops to conferences to research papers and the same is linked to almost all the cancer societies and organizations of the world. In addition, the website contains a lot of informative videos about breast health education, risk factors. signs and symptoms, breast cancer awareness, screening, early detection and treatment. Besides the Department has recently organized a Free Screening mega event at the University of Kashmir and is planning to hold an international Breast Cancer Conference at University of Kashmir next year. Dr Manzoor Ahmad Mir, the incharge of the Start-up said that the Department of Bioresources aims to link its research on Breast cancer with the society and the current start-up is a step in that direction. He also called for linking academic, research and medical institutions and developing a comprehensive strategy on raising awareness on breast cancer and organizing more and more Free screening camps across the valley.
The Kashmir Expo Start-ups for Livelihood is an event organized by Ministry of Science and technology Govt of India in collaboration with Department of Science Technology and Innovation council to encourage the startups from the region. The expo was attended by almost all the Vice Chancellors of the valley and Jammu region besides directors, faculties, scholars and students from Universities and Colleges. The Expo will continue for three days from 9-11th November 2022. On 10th of November the school children from various schools across the valley are going to visit the expo and on 11th the students from the colleges and universities have been invited to visit the expo. The Expo will conclude on 11th of November with the valedictory function which will be attended by the honorable Lieutenant Governor J&K (UT) Shri Manoj Sinha.