Srinagar, Feb 07: The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar, in collaboration with NIELIT, is planning to set up a state-of-the-art Drone Pilot Training Centre.
It was announced during a six-week-long Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Program (ESDP) (Hands-on Training) which concluded on Saturday at NIT Srinagar.
The workshop was organized by the Department of Mechanical Engineering, NIT Srinagar, in collaboration with MSME PPDC Sanath Nagar and NIELIT Srinagar. The initiative was sponsored by the Ministry of MSME, Government of India.
The valedictory session was presided over by Prof. Marouf Wani, Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department, NIT Srinagar.
Director NIT Srinagar, Prof. Binodh Kumar Kanujia was the Chief Patron of the workshop, while Prof. Atikur Rahman (Registrar), Prof. M.F. Wani (MED), Prof. G.A. Harmain (MED), Prof. Sheikh Nazir Ahmed (MED), and Prof. Roohi Naaz Mir (Dean R&C) were the patrons of the event. The Chairpersons were Prof. M.M. Wani (HoD, MED) and Prof. Adnan Qoyum (MED).
Dr. Dinesh Kumar Rajendran, the Nodal Officer of the MSME ESDP Scheme, summarized the six-week training activities, emphasizing the growing need for drone technology in Kashmir and the various funding opportunities available through government support.
Ajaz Hussain, Workshop Coordinator and Faculty at MSME PPDC, welcomed the gathering and highlighted key insights from the program. The workshop was attended by 25 participants from different parts of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Prof. Marouf Wani stated that the ESDP Program on “Drone Technology” provides a comprehensive and immersive learning experience, equipping participants with essential knowledge and skills in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology.
He further announced that the Department of Mechanical Engineering at NIT Srinagar is signing an MoU with NIELIT Srinagar to establish the Drone Pilot Training Centre on the NIT campus.
This initiative will introduce a six-month collaborative certificate course, jointly run by both institutes. Faculty members and scientists from NIT Srinagar and NIELIT will work together to foster drone technology research and development in Kashmir.
Dr. Wani also shared that one of the faculty members, Dr. Rajendran, has obtained a DGCA license to fly drones up to 25 kg and will soon undergo RPTO Trainer license training. This development will further strengthen the department’s expertise in drone technology and pilot training.
Prof. Sheikh Nazir Ahmed reminisced about his time studying Aerospace Engineering at IIT Madras and elaborated on flight dynamics and control systems, explaining how these technologies can enhance people’s lives.
The convenors of the workshop were Prof. Babar Ahmed (MED), Dr. Mohammad Mursal (MED), and Dr. Dinesh Kumar Rajendran (MED).
Ms. Hiba, one of the participants, expressed her enthusiasm for the growing interest in drone technology. “It is encouraging to see more people, especially women, taking an interest in this field. When I first started, very few women were involved, but now the numbers are increasing,” she remarked.
The program coordinators included Mr. Saheel Allaqband (Assistant Director, MSME DFO Srinagar), Mr. Aswin Kumar (Assistant Director, MSE PPDC Srinagar), and Mr. Ajaz Hussain (Faculty, MSME PPDC). Student coordinators included Qurrat Ul Ain and Mohd Ashraf, along with other dignitaries who attended the event.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Dinesh Kumar Rajendran highlighted the rapid advancements in drone technology in Kashmir.
He also noted that, apart from this workshop, NIT Srinagar has been developing drones for applications such as drone soccer racing, surveillance, disease detection, and landscaping.
