NIT Srinagar, SKIMS Join Hands to Bring AI-Powered Healthcare to Kashmir

SRINAGAR: The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar and Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday to collaborate on cutting-edge research in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). The partnership is set to drive innovation in diagnostics, treatment planning, and clinical decision-making.

The agreement marks a strategic convergence of two of Kashmir’s premier institutions, laying the groundwork for a structured and ethical framework to apply AI technologies in healthcare. The MoU envisions data-driven medical innovations to tackle the region’s health challenges and foster personalised and predictive care.

Directors of both institutions, Prof Binod Kumar Kanaujia from NIT Srinagar and Prof (Dr) M. Ashraf Ganie from SKIMS, termed the agreement a milestone that bridges engineering with medical science. “We now have the tools to revolutionise how healthcare is delivered,” Kanaujia said, adding that students would now have opportunities to develop impactful real-world solutions. Prof. Ganie, who is also Ex-Officio Secretary to the J&K Government, described the partnership as a significant leap in deploying technology for public health. “This opens new avenues for evidence-based and data-driven medicine in Kashmir,” he said.

Under the MoU, SKIMS will provide anonymised, ethically approved clinical data to NIT Srinagar, which will, in turn, develop advanced algorithms to identify disease patterns, enable early diagnosis, and support personalised treatment models. The two institutions will also jointly publish research and participate in scientific conferences, ensuring interdisciplinary collaboration in each project.

The partnership also seeks to explore broader domains, including genomics, telemedicine, bioinformatics, and public health analytics, sectors where AI is increasingly being deployed to address systemic gaps in care delivery.

During the signing ceremony, NIT student Kamran Ali Hussain presented a prototype AI-powered web platform designed for the early detection of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) risk among women in Kashmir. The project, widely lauded for its relevance, demonstrated the potential of student-led innovations in real-world healthcare settings. Prof. Ganie extended SKIMS’ support for such initiatives in future.

Faculty and officials from both institutions were present, including Dr Gausia Qazi, Head of ECE at NIT Srinagar, and Prof (Dr) Muzaffar Maqsood Wani, HoD Nephrology at SKIMS. The event highlighted a growing momentum in Kashmir toward integrating AI solutions into public health infrastructure through collaborative academic efforts.