SRINAGAR: A nine-day training programme for women entrepreneurs jointly organised by the Department of Social Work, Kashmir University (KU) and Usha International through its Usha Silai School (USS) initiative concluded with a valedictory ceremony held at the Institute of Technology (IoT), University of Kashmir, Zakura Campus on Friday.
The programme marked the culmination of the nine days of training for women entrepreneurs under the Silai Schools Project by Usha International, an organisation dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs – an initiative launched in Kashmir in 2018.
Vice Chancellor, KU, Prof Nilofer Khan presided over the function.
In her address, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Nilofer Khan emphasised that grassroots-level programmes like this are pivotal for the genuine empowerment of women.
“Women equipped with craft skills can not only secure a sustainable livelihood but also serve as agents of change within their communities by training other women in their households and neighbourhoods,” she said.
The vice chancellor highlighted the broader significance of the programme beyond stitching, sewing, cutting, and tailoring, emphasising its role in the psychological empowerment of women.
She underscored the potential for the trainees to become resource persons capable of training women in other districts in the future.
Registrar, KU, Dr Nisar Ahmad Mir noted the alignment of such initiatives with the National Education Policy-2020’s focus on skill development and self-reliance for women.
He emphasised the duty of academic, corporate and other institutions to actively participate in such empowerment initiatives as part of their social responsibility.
Head, Department of Social Work, Dr Shazia Manzoor described the training programme as an excellent opportunity for young women to acquire skills that empower them both economically and psychologically.
Project Manager at Usha International, Shaysta Ayoub highlighted the organisation’s collaborative efforts with the university in empowering women while sharing some success stories of women trained through Silai Schools, who had showcased their products at various exhibitions and fashion shows.
The trainees shared their journeys, detailing how the Kashmir University and Silai Schools helped them not only in earning a living but also promoting their skills beyond Jammu and Kashmir and later received certificates.The Vice Chancellor also distributed free sewing machines among the trainees.
Faculty at the Department of Social Work, KU, Dr Javaid Rashid conducted the proceedings of the event.
Stressing on gearing up for the upcoming NAAC visit, post the valedictory ceremony, Vice Chancellor, Prof Nilofer Khan accompanied by Registrar, Dr Nisar Ahmad Mir, Director, IoT, Zakura, Prof Gowhar Vakeel and other senior functionaries and escorted by the university’s proctorial wing later took stock of the facilities and infrastructure available at the Zakura campus.