CLUJ VC wins prestigious Dr VG Patel Runner-Up award 2026 of EDII
Inside Kashmir Desk
The Dr. V. G. Patel National Runner up Award 2026 established in honour of the founding Director of Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad was bestowed on Prof KS Chandrasekar, Vice Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu in the Traditional Entrepreneurship Category. Having more than 22 years of teaching, research in Entrepreneurship, he was involved in setting up Entrepreneurship Development Cell at the University of Kerala and other universities. He has to his credit more than 200 leading research publications, 2 patents and 12 books. He has successfully guided 9 scholars in Entrepreneurship for their Ph.D. degree. He has conducted many new Entrepreneurship training programs meant for women, windows and marginal communities. This year, the prestigious award received 532 applications from 302 institutions across 18 countries, including 25 Indian states. The selection process was rigorous where in there were two interviews. First the screening was done to bring down the number to 300. Then the interview process reduced the number to 30. From there 12 were shortlisted for final interview and discussion. It recognises the outstanding contribution of trainers, educators and mentors in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. In his acceptance speech, Prof Chandrasekar dedicated the award to Cluster University of Jammu where University Innovation Cell, CLUJ Tawi foundation (a Section 8 Company) have been incorporated to foster entrepreneurship and start-ups among the students and to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The award was given jointly by Ms, Remadevi, President of All India Lady Entrepreneurs Association of India, Hyderabad and Sri Mahesh Savani of PP Group, Surat. Prof Sunil Shukla, Director General of EDII was the President of the program.
