Kashmir Impulse Desk

Ganderbal, May 15

Students from the Central University of Kashmir (CUK) have secured national recognition in biotechnology research and technology innovation competitions, the university said on Thursday.

A team from the university’s Department of Biotechnology was selected for the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) E-YUVA Fellowship Scheme, a government-backed programme aimed at supporting young innovators and entrepreneurs in the biotechnology sector.

The selected students – Khalida Saher, Rayyan Niyaz, and Maryam Aijaz – worked under the guidance of researcher Rouf Ahmad Najar, according to a university statement.

The fellowship carries a research grant of Rs 2.5 lakh along with quarterly stipends and is awarded for projects with innovation and commercialisation potential.

The team’s project, titled “Ion Responsive Nanofluidic Regulation of ER Exit Site Decisions: A Computational Study of Golgi Bypass in the Tumor Microenvironment,” focuses on using computational modelling to study how cancer cells adapt and survive under stressful conditions such as low oxygen and nutrient scarcity within tumours.

University officials said the research could contribute to advances in computational biology and cancer studies.

Separately, students from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering secured first place at “SynerTech 2026,” a two-day technology and innovation event organised by Kashmir College of Engineering and Technology earlier this month.

The winning team – Nimra Wani, Milad Ajaz Bhat, and Shiblee Showkat – developed a customer relationship management-based academic management portal designed to digitise and streamline administrative and academic operations.

The students also created an Android application aimed at improving accessibility for students, faculty members and administrators.

The team received a cash prize of Rs 10,000 at the event.

Vice Chancellor A Ravinder Nath congratulated the students and faculty members, saying the achievements reflected the university’s focus on innovation, research and academic excellence.

Other university officials, including Dean Academic Affairs Shahid Rasool, Registrar Nisar Ahmad Mir and Dean of the School of Life Sciences Abid Hamid Dar, also praised the students and their mentors for the accomplishments.