Indian Institute of Management Ranchi and Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad have joined hands to orient more youths towards an entrepreneurial career. To ensure this the Institutes will extend training and counselling in entrepreneurship and management to the students, alongside orientation to the faculty members, so that the results and outcomes are sustainable. In all, efforts will be directed towards creating a conducive entrepreneurial eco-system by setting upan incubation centre at Ranchi and offering several programmes for students and faculty of the two Institutes.
To achieve the objective of promoting entrepreneurial thinking among students and thus encourage innovative start-ups, under a partnership agreement, EDII will provide technical support in setting up the IIM-Ranchi incubation centre at its Ranchi, Jharkhand campus. The institutes will jointly develop certificate courses on entrepreneurship development and skill enhancement. In addition, under student exchange and faculty development programmes, efforts will be made to build and strengthen an entrepreneurial ecosystem in Jharkhand and other neighbouring States. The collaboration will foster knowledge sharing, teaching, research and institutional support for both the Institutes.
Technical support, quality infrastructure
Explaining about the partnership benefits, Dr Sunil Shukla, Director-General, EDII, said, “The present and coming times will nurture only businesses that are forward-looking and knowledge based and possess the ability to withstand crises and major catastrophes. The Covid-19 crisis has shown us how businesses need to pre-empt and be prepared for crises beyond just the market upheavals and financial emergencies. Businesses need to understand events that are not entirely in their control. This collaboration will spur creative entrepreneurship and better prepare our youths in entrepreneurship and management so that they can effectively sail through any disruptions.”
Prof Shailendra Singh, Director, IIM Ranchi, said: “At IIM Ranchi, we are committed to grooming leaders with value-based education. This partnership will help us get the necessary technical support to create world-class infrastructure and a stimulating environment for innovation and entrepreneurship, not only for the students, but also for the community at large. The incubation centre will aim to create a pipeline of ideas and support for their implementation at various stages by collaborating with key stakeholders. The centre will provide the necessary impetus and intellectual basis for the initiative through its expertise in the areas of management, innovation, strategy and entrepreneurship.”
Empowering tribal communities
Dr Milin Kamble, Governing Body Member, EDII and Founder-Chairman, Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DICCI) said, “I am happy that the two well-known institutions have come together to propagate entrepreneurship among students, who are the torch-bearers of a happy tomorrow. EDII, with its domain expertise, network and expanse, will ensure an appreciable spurt in the process of new enterprise creation. DICCI is already active in Jharkhand, working wit tribal communities to create sustainable livelihood options for them. I am sure, while this will get a further boost, our youths will particularly get oriented towards higher-order achievements.”
“Considering the contribution of entrepreneurship in the growth of the economy, it is important to institutionalise efforts towards broadcasting this discipline. I am glad that the two institutions have joined hands to take up this cause. I look forward to seeing tangible outcomes. A lot can be envisioned for tribal youths who have the potential but need a direction. So all in all, entrepreneurship needs to be encouraged across sections and sectors, which I guess will ensue from here with coordinated efforts by both the institutions. I look forward to policy advocacy in this direction too,” said Praveen Shankar Pandya, Chairman, IIM-Ranchi.