The University of Jammu has taken a significant digital leap toward research empowerment with the launch of 'Shodh Sahayak,' a pioneering mobile application that stands as a testament to the institution’s unwavering commitment to advancing its research ecosystem. The initiative was envisioned by the esteemed Vice Chancellor Prof. Umesh Rai with the aim of developing a system that enables faculty members to access all necessary information on a single platform. Designed to provide faculty members with seamless access to funding opportunities, the app was unveiled by Vice Chancellor Prof. Umesh Rai and is poised to streamline the process of securing research grants while fostering a culture of academic excellence. This transformative initiative underscores the university’s dedication to innovation and its proactive role in empowering its academic community.

The development of 'Shodh Sahayak' is a remarkable achievement stemming from the university’s Design Your Degree initiative. The app was crafted by a talented team of students—Adil Mahajan, Tavishi Amla, and Pawandeep Singh—whose creativity and technical skills have produced a tool of immense value. Their efforts were bolstered by the technical support of Mr. Mohsin Hassan & Mr. Abhay Khajuria, under the expert mentorship of Dr. Jatinder Manhas, Associate Director, Skill Incubation Innovation Entrepreneurship Development Centre (SIIEDC) and Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science & IT. Further enhancing the app’s capabilities, Dr. Guneet Singh Sudan, Director, Centre for IT Enabled Services, provided critical technological infrastructure and support, ensuring a robust and user-friendly platform.

'Shodh Sahayak' is meticulously curated to serve the diverse needs of the University of Jammu’s academic community. It offers a comprehensive repository of funding proposals, grants, fellowships, and collaborative research opportunities, consolidating essential resources into a single, accessible platform. The app features an intuitive interface with dynamic functionalities, including real-time updates, a personalized dashboard, and plans for a future AI-powered chatbot to provide user support. This innovative design positions 'Shodh Sahayak' as a first-of-its-kind research funding companion, empowering faculty to navigate the complexities of research funding with ease and efficiency.

The ceremonial launch event drew a distinguished audience of senior faculty members, researchers, students, and media personnel, all of whom expressed enthusiasm for the app’s potential to democratize access to research funding. In his address, Vice Chancellor Prof. Umesh Rai praised the initiative as a reflection of the National Education Policy’s emphasis on multidisciplinary learning, innovation, and self-reliance. He commended the student developers for their dedication and ingenuity, noting that 'Shodh Sahayak' represents a significant step toward enhancing the university’s research capabilities and fostering academic relevance.

The success of this endeavour is a result of the unwavering support and encouragement from key university figures Dr. Neeraj Sharma, Registrar, University of Jammu, Prof. Neelu Rohmetra, Dean Research Studies, University of Jammu and Prof. Alka Sharma, Director, Skill Incubation Innovation Entrepreneurship Development Centre (SIIEDC), played instrumental roles in championing the project. Furthermore Prof. K.S. Charak, Dr. Ginni Dogra, Prof. Anil Gupta, Prof. Sadaf Shah, Dr. Sandeep Arya, Dr. Harish Chander Dutt, Dr. Chinmoyee Maharana, Dr. Sunil Bhaugal, Dr. Ripu Daman, Dr. Sandeep Singh, and Dr. Pallavi Sachdeva were present during the launch of the ‘Shodh Sahayak’.

As 'Shodh Sahayak' takes its first steps into the hands of the academic community, it promises to become an indispensable digital companion for faculty members. By simplifying the research funding process and encouraging proactive inquiry, the app is set to inspire a new era of collaboration, innovation, and academic excellence at the University of Jammu. This launch marks not only a technological milestone but also a bold statement of the university’s vision for a future where research empowerment drives progress and discovery.