Lucknow: A three-day programme, Advancing Innovation Professionals for Ecosystem Excellence, began at Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) on Monday, focusing on strengthening the startup and innovation ecosystem in Uttar Pradesh.
The programme has been organised by AKTU’s Innovation Hub in collaboration with NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission. Held under the guidance of Vice-Chancellor Prof. J.P. Pandey, the first day featured discussions on the startup ecosystem, the role of incubation centres and other aspects of promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.
Prof. S.P. Shukla, Director of the Centre for Advanced Studies, said incubation centres must not only support startups but also develop concrete plans to encourage students to take up innovation and entrepreneurship. He said stronger student participation would help generate promising startups in the future. He also emphasised that incubation centres should expand their activities beyond campuses and work at the district level.
Associate Dean, Innovation, Dr Anuj Kumar Sharma, said the university was making continuous efforts to promote innovation and startups across the state. He highlighted the recently launched Kalam Patent Centre and the creation of an Innovation Fund to encourage innovation. He added that AKTU was also promoting startup support initiatives and focusing on establishing an incubation centre at every AKTU-affiliated institution in the state.
Innovation Hub CEO Dr Maheep Singh outlined the initiatives being undertaken by the Innovation Hub to support startups. He said Uttar Pradesh still had considerable potential for developing a stronger startup ecosystem and incubation centres would have to take the lead in realising that potential.
Dr Yogesh Brahmkar, CEO of AIC SEED, IISER Pune, spoke about the innovation ecosystem and the evolving role of incubators in India.
The programme was conducted by Vandana Sharma, CIO, Innovation Hub. Suraj Verma, Anurag Chaubey and representatives of incubation centres from across Uttar Pradesh participated in the programme.
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