RNTU organizes Sports Achievers Award 2023 to felicitate exceptional players on National Sports Day

RNTU organizes Sports Achievers Award 2023

Bhopal, 31st August 23: To compete against the world and excel, it is of the utmost importance that we introduce Sports as a main subject in schools so the children can prepare from a young age to fulfil their dreams. For the longest time, sports have been viewed to stay healthy and fit, but it is also essential for students’ overall growth and development. Pursuing sports has an array of avenues to succeed and putting your country’s name on the global map.

On the occasion of National Sports Day, to encourage and felicitate players in the country, Rabindranath Tagore University recently organized the Sports Achievers Award 2023 ceremony. At the event, P Narahari K, Secretary, MSME & Industries Commissioner, Secretary of Sports & Youth Welfare, Government of Madhya Pradesh was present as a keynote speaker. He emphasized the importance of sports in the education curriculum in our country. He also stated an example of Mr. Vivek Sagar, a member of Hoshangabad’s Olympic medal-winning team, who has been nominated as DSP. He also appreciated the initiative of RNTU to host such an event and spoke on the importance of other schools, colleges and universities of the state to moving forward with a similar thought and purpose and also mentioned that the various industries should also support through CSR activity, sponsorship and other cooperation.

The Sports Achievers Award 2023 ceremony has also witnessed a stellar lineup of guests which includes, the Chancellor of Rabindranath Tagore University, Dr. Santosh Choubey, Chancellor of Scope Global Skills University, Dr. Siddharth Chaturvedi, former Olympian and hockey player Mr. Sameer Dad, High Performance Coach of Sports Authority of India Bhopal and Arjuna Awardee Yashpal Solanki, RNTU Registrar Dr. Vijay Singh, Chief Coach and Technical Advisor State Women’s Hockey Gwalior Paramjit Singh, Raisen’s District Sports Officer Jalaj Chaturvedi were present.

Dr. Siddharth Chaturvedi expressed his gratitude to the guests who attended the event and apprised the various initiatives RNTU is undertaking to provide opportunities to the youths who are sports enthusiasts in the country. Further, he also mentioned that RNTU is developing the infrastructure with the aim of hosting Khelo India University Games.

Chancellor of Rabindranath Tagore University, Shri. Santosh Choubey has also highlighted the importance of sports in life and said that constant efforts are being made at RNTU to encourage sports in the country.

At the event, RNTU Sports Achievers Award was given to sportspersons studying in Rabindranath Tagore University, including Shankar Pandey (Fencing), Himanshi Tokas (Judo), Priyanshi Prajapat (Wrestler), Bushra Khan Gauri (Athletics), Nandani Vats (Judo), Prashu Parihar. (Hockey), Manisha (Steeple Chase), Ekta De (Steeple Change), Malika Mor (Boxing), Jagruti (Judo), Madhu Singh (Taekwondo), Vaishali Rajak (Karate), Vinati (Boxing) and many other.

Talented players of Raisen district like Pragati Dubey, Renu Yadav, Aman, Pooja Kori, Suhani, Isha, Neha, Gujan, Akhil, Prashu Parihar, Sonia Kumre, Aarti Bhalavi and Atif Khan and many others from various sports category were honored at RNTU Sports Achievers Awards.

In fact, the coaches of various sports were also honored in the program such as Dronacharya Awardee and Chief Coach M.P. Mahasingh of State Wrestling Academy Bhopal, former Olympian and Asian Games Gold Medalist and currently Indian hockey team selector Sameer Dad, Arjuna Awardee and High-Performance Coach Sports Authority of India Bhopal M.P. K Yashpal Solanki, Life Time Achievement Award, and Chief Coach, Madhya Pradesh State Women’s Hockey Academy, Gwalior, M.P. K Paramjeet Singh, Chief Instructor, M.P. SK Prasad of State Athletics Academy, Bhopal, Chief Instructor, M.P. Roshanlal of State Boxing Academy, Bhopal to name a few.

Adani Gangavaram Port Launches Adani Evening Education Centre for Local Students in villages

Adani Gangavaram Port

Visakhapatnam:29th August 2023 Adani Gangavaram Port the deepest and the most modern port in the country as a part of its CSR program has taken a significant step in its commitment to community development by inaugurating the 1st Adani Evening Education Center (AEEC) at MPP School, Dibbapalem. This initiative is implemented in association with Adani Foundation and it aims to support more than 200 students in the first year. Participatory learning methods are being adopted to increase students’ attendance and effective learning and lead to progressive performance in academics.

The Adani Evening Education Center (AEEC) at MPP School is designed to help underprivileged students excel in their studies through engaging learning methods. It’s also a great initiative to help children and adults who discontinued their education due to personal or economic reasons to reinitiate their studies. The program’s goal is to improve attendance, learning, and academic performance. This initiative will expand to 5 villages across 2 locations in the coming months. The next center will be started at ZPH School, Gangavaram village very soon.

Adani Gangavaram Port has been actively involved in enhancing education in local communities. The establishment of a Computer Center at ZPHS, Gangavaram has been a witness to their commitment to empowering the youth with valuable skills. This initiative brings into line with the Adani Group’s core values and commitment to community development through education and skill-building.

Speaking on the occasion Adani Gangavaram Port Limited management said” We are committed to the development of the community by providing education to the underprivileged children’s in our neighbourhood. We believe education is a powerful tool for bringing a positive change. The Adani Evening Education Center reflects our dedication to improving education and contributing to the growth of our communities. Adani Gangavaram Port Limited is also planning to engage with the people on Skill development & infrastructure in the future”

MSU, Sikkim, in collaboration with RSB Transmissions, inaugurates the Work Integrated ITI (CTS) training programme under the Flexi MoU scheme of DGT

MSU, Sikkim,

Pune, 29th August 2023: Medhavi Skills University (MSU), Sikkim, in collaboration with RSB Transmissions, inaugurated the Work Integrated ITI (CTS) training programme under the Flexi MoU scheme of DGT.

It is important to mention that Medhavi Skills University has earlier signed an MoU with the Directorate General of Training (DGT) to implement its Flexi MoU scheme as an Authorised Implementing University to offer on-the-job training based Flexible ITI (CTS) programme in partnership with various reputed Industries, where the students shall get ITI (CTS) Qualification certificate as well as practical work experience while deputed as trainees at the partner industry premises.

This Flexi MoU Scheme developed by the DGT, an apex regulatory body for ITIs, operating under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development (MSDE), Government of India, is aimed to meet the demands of both industry and youth. It enables Industries to train candidates in accordance with the relevant skill sets sought by them, and it offers students a training environment that is in line with market demands and uses the most recent technology tools and machines.

MSU has tied-up with RSB Transmissions, Pune, a reputed global Automotive manufacturing OEM company and has deputed 110 Flexi ITI Trainees as an inaugural batch.

Mr. Abhay. A. Mahishi, Deputy Director, Regional Directorate of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (RDSDE), Maharashtra, (DGT, MSDE) Government of India, was the Chief Guest at the event. On behalf of RSB Transmissions, Mr. Durga Prasanna Das, Plant Head, AGM – HR, Mr. Mukesh Kumar and Senior HR manager Ms. Parvati Nayak were present at the occasion. Also present was Mr. Mehboob Saiyyad, Managing Director at TalentCorp Solutions India, the candidate sourcing Staffing Partner for Medhavi Skills University.

Medhavi Skills University was represented by Mr. Pravesh Dudani, Founder and chancellor. Also present on behalf of Medhavi were, Mr. Sajeev Kumar S, Vice President, Industry Relations and Mr. Sitaram A. P., General Manager, Skill Integration and Certification.

In his speech, the Chief Guest, Mr Abhay. A. Mahishi, spoke about the background and benefits of Flexi MoU Programme under DGT. He emphasized on the fact that this programme is a unique model for students where they are able to continue with their education along with real-time hands-on experience in an industry, where they get exposure on the latest technology, thus making them employment-ready.

Speaking at the inauguration, Mr. Pravesh Dudani, Founder & Chancellor, Medhavi Skills University, said: “The Flexi MoU Training Programme is a significant initiative by the MSU aimed at bridging the employability gap and fostering a well-trained workforce, as envisioned in the New Education Policy 2020. It is designed to offer flexible training options to enhance their technical skills and expertise along with sought after ITI CTS (NCVET) qualification“.

Mr Durga Prasana Das, Plant Head, RSB, in his speech, emphasized that the trainees should be multi-skilled and must gain hands-on experience and would be provided with role rotation every quarter of the programme. He said that the students will also be provided with a stipend as per Industry standards during the OJT period.

MSU being a UGC, NCVET, DGT & NSDC recognised University is committed to taking this Flexi MoU scheme to many Industries across the Industrial regions in India for the benefit of both the youths and the Industries. The programme is modelled under “Learn & Earn” mode which empowers youths from disadvantaged backgrounds to complete their higher education through MSU. The trainees learn on the job and are more committed to the company compared to the contractual workforce given their linkage of education to their employer which leads to lower attrition to the Industry.

PHIRE crosses a milestone, places its 3000 th student

Chennai, 29th August 2023: PHIRE, part of Veranda Learning Solutions which is a publicly listed Education company (BSE: 543514, NSE: VERANDA), placed its 3000th student earlier this month. PHIRE, a prominent placement-oriented training enterprise has been at the forefront of providing expert training for recruitment in the Private Banking and BFSI sectors. Placing its 3000th student stands as a testament to PHIRE’s unwavering commitment to excellence in grooming and preparing individuals for lucrative careers in the financial industry.

Since its inception, PHIRE has consistently offered cutting-edge, industry-relevant programs that empower students with practical skills and insights demanded by the Private Banking and BFSI sectors. Mr. S. Prabhakaran, the 3000th student to be placed by PHIRE, lauded the institute’s course curriculum.

Mr. Prabhakaran,

“PHIRE’s training program is well designed to train freshers for a rewarding career in the BFSI sector. An excellent faculty, a 3-month training program, and 100% placement assistance make PHIRE the go-to institute for Banking Training and Placement,” sai Mr. Prabhakaran, who was placed as Assistant Manager in the Kodambakkam branch of Kotak Mahindra Bank in Chennai.

Ms. Amrutha

“PHIRE is a great place for fresh Graduates who are eyeing job opportunities in the Banking sector. I trained with PHIRE and got an offer from Bandhan Bank. I also referred 3 of my friends to join PHIRE and they got placed in three months after joining the training. Faculty at PHIRE are veterans in the Banking sector who are not only knowledgeable but ably guide you through the process,” said Ms. Amrutha, who got an offer for a Teller’s role in the Edapally branch of Bandhan Bank in Kerala, was effusive in her praise for PHIRE’s faculty.

Placing their 3000th student not only underscores PHIRE’s impact but also highlights the significance of its role in shaping the future of the financial workforce. Some of the prominent financial institutions PHIRE has placed its students are HDFC Bank, Bandhan Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Axis Bank among many others.

Mr. HD Sheriff, CEO of PHIRE, believes the company has earned the trust of financial institutions over the years. “PHIRE’s 3000th placement echoes its significant presence and dominance in the job market. Employers have come to trust PHIRE-trained candidates for their exceptional skill sets, ensuring seamless integration into their organizations,” said Mr. Sheriff. “This landmark achievement serves as a beacon of inspiration to countless individuals aspiring to excel in Private Banking and BFSI. It demonstrates that with the right training and guidance, they too can reach pinnacles of success,” said Ms. Jyotsna Vasudevan, Co-founder and Chief People Officer, PHIRE.

Pacific World School’s PACMUN 23 Inspires Young Diplomats to Shape a Better World

Pacific World School

Pacific World School concluded its Model United Nations (MUN) event, PACMUN 23, marking a remarkable milestone in nurturing young diplomats and global leaders. The two-day event served as a platform for students to engage in diplomatic simulations, refine their negotiation skills, and foster international cooperation, all while addressing pressing global challenges. The event was graced by the chief guests, Mr. Lav Bharadwaj (National Lead of Skilling & Employment at UNDP, New Delhi) on day 1 and Chief Justice (Retd) Manmohan Sareen on day 2.

Under the visionary leadership of Principal Ms. Pooja Bose, PACMUN 23 proved to be a resounding success, attracting participation from various schools across Delhi NCR. More than 290 delegates from 22 schools passionately debated and discussed critical issues within six committees: United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), United Nations Commission for Science And Technology for Development (UNCSTD), G-20, United Nations Security Council, and International Press.

The event started on a melodious note with the choir group’s soul-stirring inaugural song. Ms. Pooja Bose, Principal, Pacific World School, welcomed the delegates and expressed, “Today’s youth has the potential of being the agents of positive change in the society with strong ethics and determination. PACMUN 23 is aimed at providing diverse learning experiences. The impressive discourse and passion displayed by our young participants leave me optimistic about the future they will shape.”

The event also witnessed a captivating dance performance by PWS students, portraying the transformation of Ashoka from a conqueror to a harbinger of peace, underscoring the importance of non-violence and harmonious coexistence. The two-day event came to a conclusion with a solemn closing ceremony and social, with the dance and music performances by kids of Pacific School leaving everyone in awe.

Mr. Bharadwaj praised PWS for hosting PACMUN 23, acknowledging its role in nurturing disruptive ideas for a greener and more sustainable world. On the other hand, Chief Justice Mr. Mohan Sareen shared his insights and experiences with the young delegates.

Aicte Organises Placement Drive for Jeet Project Students in Jammu in Association With ICT Academy

Aicte Organises

New Delhi / JAMMU, 28th August 2023 All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) organized the placement drive for the students trained under Jammu & Kashmir Employability Enhancement Training (JEET) at Yogananda College of Engineering & Technology, Jammu on 26 August 2023.

Jammu & Kashmir Employability Enhancement Training Programme (JEET): AICTE has signed an MoU (Jammu & Kashmir Employability Enhancement Training (JEET)) with ICT Academy for providing Employability Enhancement Training to the5000  final and pre-final year students of J&K and Ladakh. Total 768 students have completed the training as of now.

Link Mega Job fair:To help the students trained under JEET, reap the rewards of their technical training, and improve the local livelihood by providing career opportunities in leading corporations AICTE and ICT Academy organized the LINK Mega Job Fair comprised of 16 recruiting companies with over 1200 job openings.

Recruiters:Some of the leading recruiters include Concentrix, Hike Education, Infosoft Technologies, Krishna Maruti, MRF Tire, New Allenbery Work, Okaya Power, Paytm, Reliable Automotive, Siddhi Infonet India Pvt Ltd, Super Hoze, Yokohama, Dixon Technology, Indian Japan Lighting Pvt Ltd, Bajaj Motors and Airtel.

AICTE’s representative Dr.Neetu Bhagat, Deputy Director handed over the Job Offers to the selected students and also course completion certificate for the students trained under JEET project.  Other dignitaries Includes Mr.Ganesh VP – of ICT Academy, Mr.G.Saravanan AVP – ICT Academy, Er.Dinesh Gupta – Dean Academics and BR.Verma Chief Co Ordinator, Yogananda College of Engineering & Technology

 Few Statistics:

Number of Corporates 16
Number of HR Representatives 32
Number of Students registered online 168
Number of students attended the Placement Drive 157
Number of students got placed 80
Number of students shortlisted for Next round 58
Highest CTC 7.8 LPA
Lowest CTC 1.8 LPA

Company wise Split Up:

S.No. Company Name Selected  Short Listed       CTC (in LPA)
1 Hike Education 4   6.8
2 Infosoft Technologies 0 4 2.2 LPA
3 Krishna Maruti 0 2 1.8 LPA
4 MRF Tyres 4 7 1.8 LPA
5 New Allenbery Work 3 18 1.8 LPA
6 Okaya Power 6 0 2.2 LPA
7 Reliable Automotive 20 0 2.2 LPA
8 Siddhi Infonet India Pvt Ltd 0 4 2.2 LPA
9 Super Hoze 1 4 2.2 LPA
10 Yokohama 7 0 1.8 LPA
11 Dixon Technology 10 14 3.2 LPA
12 Indian Japan Lighting Pvt Ltd 0 5 6.5 LPA
13 Bajaj Motors 25 0 1.8LPA
  Total 80 58  

IIM Kashipur celebrates India’s G-20 Presidency

IIM Kashipur

Kashipur, 28th August 2023— In a bid to foster global awareness and nurture innovative thinking, the esteemed Indian Institute of Management Kashipur (IIM Kashipur) hosted a remarkable lecture series under the ‘G20 University Connect’ initiative. The event centered around the theme “Engaging Young Minds,” resonating with the institute’s commitment to grooming the leaders of tomorrow. The lecture series commenced with the presence of a distinguished guest, Ambassador (Ms.) L. Savithri, an esteemed personality from the Ministry of External Affairs, India. The event was graced by the esteemed presence of Professor K.N. Badhani, who delivered the welcoming remarks, setting an enthusiastic tone for the intellectual discourse that followed.

Ambassador (Ms.) L. Savithri’s special lecture brought forth an insightful perspective on India’s significant role in the G20 community. She applauded IIM Kashipur’s recent achievement in securing the 19th rank in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), highlighting the institution’s rapid ascent in the educational landscape. She emphasized the rich diversity of IIM Kashipur and encouraged students to extract valuable lessons from their academic journey.

Delving into the heart of the matter, Ambassador (Ms.) L. Savithri elucidated the genesis of the G20 and its profound impact on global affairs. She detailed how crises in 1999 and 2000 prompted the formation of G20, a coalition of 20 countries responsible for a significant portion of the world’s population, GDP, and trade. She underscored the significance of the G20 summit and its rotating presidency, providing a platform for nations to collaboratively address pressing issues.

Highlighting India’s role as the G20 President, Ambassador (Ms.) L. Savithri eloquently spoke about India’s focus on energy transition and its dedication to amplifying the voices of marginalized nations, communities, and individuals through the “Voice of the Global South” initiative. She revealed South Africa’s impending membership, expanding the G20’s reach and influence.

The event also featured illuminating talks by Professor Kunal Ganguly, who explored infrastructural investment and logistics optimization, and Professor Abhradeep Maiti, who dissected international trade and economic activities. The engaging sessions were followed by a dynamic question-and-answer session, allowing students to interact directly with Ambassador (Ms.) L. Savithri, facilitated by Dr. Rohit Saini.

The event’s grand finale witnessed the distribution of prizes and a heartfelt vote of thanks by Preet Tejwani, the General Secretary of the Student Body Council. The closing note, marked by the national anthem, instilled a sense of unity and patriotism among the attendees.

In a world increasingly defined by collaboration and collective responsibility, IIM Kashipur’s G20 University Connect lecture series emerged as a catalyst for empowering young minds to envision a brighter, more inclusive future. The event reminded everyone of the profound impact that innovative thinking, global engagement, and collaborative action can have in shaping the world we share.

Over 500 disabled students from Maharashtra to get special scholarship: Mumbai workshop on capacity building

Over 500 disabled students

Mumbai: The National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) has collaborated with Bajaj Finserv Limited to launch a scholarship program of upto Rs 1 lakh targeting disabled students. In an effort to enhance capacity building of disabled students and apprise persons with disabilities (PwDs), parents, and social workers about their rights and the welfare policies designed for their benefit, an awareness workshop was organized on Saturday. Experts from diverse sectors joined and shared their expertise.

The NCPEDP-Bajaj Finserv Scholarship program is designed to financially assist 100 disabled students from Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, who are pursuing education at various levels, including Secondary, Senior Secondary, and Higher Education.

Arman Ali, Executive Director of NCPEDP said, “We are dedicated to providing quality education as a means of empowerment for every disabled student.”

The Mumbai workshop follows a similar workshop in Lucknow earlier. “This is our sincere initiative to empower the disabled students and we are looking forward to organizing more such workshops in the future,” added Ali.

The workshop, held in partnership with Sol’s ARC at K J Somaiya College of Engineering, featured informative sessions. “Accessibility and Financial Literacy” was led by Amar Jain, Co-founder of Mission Accessibility, while “Getting Job Ready” was presented by Ivasmita Baruah, and Sunil Bankar from V-shesh. These sessions proved highly insightful and benefited the attendees, which included disabled students, social workers, students without disabilities, and parents.

Akshay Jain, Assistant Program Manager for Advocacy at NCPEDP, emphasized the crucial role of the younger generation in shaping the future of people with disabilities. He highlighted the potential of education to raise awareness beyond expectations and emphasized the need for regular workshops like this as catalysts for positive change.

The scholarship program itself will encompass tuition fees, costs related to assistive technology, and other relevant expenses for disabled students, tailored to their individual needs and budgets. This initiative stands as a testament to the joint commitment of NCPEDP and Bajaj Finserv towards promoting education and empowerment among disabled students.

Heritage International Xperiential School hosts the Liberal Arts and Sciences Conference 2023

Gurugram, 28th August 2023: The Liberal Arts and Sciences Conference 2023 hosted by Heritage International XperientialSchool at its Heritage Avenue campus brought together eminent education leaders, representatives of the top Indian and International Liberal Arts and Sciences colleges, and parents, students, and school counselors from schools across NCR.

The attendees uncovered opportunities that the Liberal Arts and Sciences educational pathway provides and the unique advantages offered by the best colleges in this space. They also gathered insights on how the relevance of Liberal Arts and Sciences is increasing in the context of the rapidly evolving world of work and the skills and cognitive attributes that would be most valued in the near future. The discussions highlighted how a multidisciplinary education could contribute to successful careers across various industries and also busted myths about a liberal arts education. Some of these myths were that liberal arts colleges only focus on humanities subjects whereas many of the colleges even offer engineering degrees. Also, as many of the American colleges are only at the undergraduate level, they can provide better resources such as direct access to top professors, research opportunities, small classroom size, and better teacher-student ratio.

Designed on the theme “Bridging Education and Career: The Future of Liberal Arts and Sciences,” the conference provided an intensive and interactive platform for each stakeholder to explore the transformative potential of liberal arts and sciences education.

The event was attended by top colleges and universities in the United States, India, and other countries. Colleges from the United States included eminent names such as Pomona College, Swarthmore College, Williams College, Bryn Mawr College, and many more. While those from India included Ashoka University, Korea University, and Flame among others.

Speaking at the event, Amit Jain, former APAC Chief of Uber said “Liberal arts colleges foster a unique blend of creativity and critical thinking, moulding individuals who can navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing world. These institutions cultivate not just knowledge, but the capacity to adapt and innovate, essential skills for any leader in today’s dynamic landscape.”

The event was also attended by leaders, students, and parents of some of the top schools in the country such as Mayo College, The Doon School, The British School Delhi, Step by Step School, Heritage Experiential Learning School, and many others. Thus setting the stage for expansive networking and collaboration, enabling educators, industry experts, and students to connect, share ideas, and cultivate potential associations.

‘’The success of The Liberal Arts and Sciences Conference 2023, in collaboration with Heritage International XperientialSchool, reinforces our commitment to building multiple opportunities for our students to discover the meaning of their lives. Some of the top universities from India and abroad were present at our campus and it reinforced our partnership with these world class institutions. We will continue to curate these opportunities where students and parents can explore the various pathways to building successful careers and meaningful lives.” said Vishnu Karthik, Co – founder Heritage International Xperiential School.

Odisha Student Entrepreneur’s Startup on Clean Cooking Equipment Wins GITAM SmartIDEAthon 2023

Odisha Student Entrepreneur's

Hyderabad/India, 26th Aug 2023: In an exhilarating grand finale of the SmartIDEAthon 2023 — an annual pan-India mega pitch-fest organized by GITAM (Deemed to be University) — a promising young entrepreneur Anup Paikaray bagged the winner’s title, a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh and a fully sponsored trip to Boston. Presenting to an eminent jury of experts in Hyderabad, this student of the Odisha University of Technology and Research from Odisha made a winning pitch for his startup Newrup Tech Solutions, which develops heat-powered air blowers to harness excess heat from Chulas or Tandoors, converting it into rotational energy for an internal fan, at just Rs 500. It thereby seeks to impact the lives of over two billion women still cooking on traditional chulhas/mud stoves worldwide.

Handing over the coveted title was the event’s Chief Guest and India’s gifted space entrepreneur Pawan Kumar Chandana. Addressing a vivacious gathering of student entrepreneurs just days after the momentous Chandrayaan 3 landing, the Skyroot Aerospace co-founder and ex-ISRO scientist said, “Entrepreneurship gives immense satisfaction and helps create impact and employment. A career in space tech is a very rewarding and satisfying experience for every engineer. Space can sustain trillions of people because of the resources. It is an exciting future for all of humanity.” Speaking on the future of Skyroot — the first private company in India to launch a rocket into space — Chandana said, “This year, we are targeting our next rocket which is a 7-storied building rocket capable of launching multiple satellites into orbit. Skyroot’s mission is to open space for everybody.”

Fostering a deep connection to India’s vibrant startup ecosystem, the national-level competition invited undergraduate and postgraduate student innovators and ideation-level ventures to pitch ideas for sustainable and resilient community building, across four themes: Food and health, Toys for STEM, Sustainable Fashion and Frugal Innovation. The ideas were to be built on themes that help build sustainable and resilient communities through innovation.

Krish Nangegadda, Chief Innovation Officer, GITAM (Deemed to be University) said, “Entrepreneurship education gives you skills that you can use anywhere. We want to embrace entrepreneurship to build an ecosystem to transfer skills for life rather than merely being measured in the number of startups. SmartIDEAthon endeavors to promote this year’s themes through collaboration and networking among young minds.”

Sribharat Mathukumilli, President of GITAM (Deemed to be) University, said, “Students should start thinking critically and asking questions. Look at all of the problems around you and see if you can solve them. If you can find solutions to problems and are willing to, able to find customers who pay for your services, that is a startup. That’s our takeaway from SmartIDEAthon 2023.”

Shortlisted from over 1000 pan-India entries, the finalists refined their pitches in a series of advanced boot camps and personalized mentoring by internationally trained venture coaches. The finale took place in person at GITAM’s Hyderabad campus on August 25, 2023.

Among the guests present were top entrepreneurship ecosystem stakeholders, Dr Shanta Thoutam, Chief Innovation Officer, Government of Telangana; Deepthi Ravula, CEO, WE-Hub, Surabhi Gupta, Senior Manager, Startup India; Sridhar Pinnapureddy, CEO, CtrlS Datacenters; Prof Greg Collier, Director of International Programs NUCEE, Professor of Practice, DMSB E&I Group at Northeastern University; and Prof Ravi Ramamurti University, Distinguished Professor of International Business and Director, Centre for Emerging Markets, Northeastern University. SmartIDEAthon is organized by Venture Development Centre, GITAM (Deemed to be University) in collaboration with StartupIndia, Northeastern University Center for Emerging Markets, Boston and Northeastern University Center for Entrepreneurship Education (NUCEE), Boston.

Winners and runners-up won personalized coaching and boot camps by internationally-trained venture coaches, a sponsored trip to the USA to showcase at Boston Entrepreneurship Week, and cash and grants worth INR 30 Lakh for winners and runners-up.

As runners-up, Vineet Kumar and Manish Bibhu, students of Sershah Engineering College in Bihar won Rs 1 lakh for POLYFUELER, which is working on revolutionizing waste management by transforming diverse plastic waste into fuel, powered by a proprietary catalyst.

Under the Best Woman-led Entrepreneurship Idea, K Ushasri Devi and P Sushma Devi from GITAM School of Business in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh bagged a Rs 50,000 cash prize for their venture, COACT, which strives to empower visually challenged women aged 15-55 by addressing their menstrual cycle-tracking challenges, liberating them from suboptimal methods, and ensuring their self-sufficiency in meeting their essential needs.

For the Leben Johnson People’s Choice Award, Yoga V I and Ramanan of Kumaraguru College of Technology & Bannari Amman Institute of Technology from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu made a winning pitch for their start-up MediCandy offering convenient anti-diabetic solutions. Students of the Institute of Aeronautical Engineering from Telangana, Vuppu Mahesh, Kowkutla Jeshwanth Reddy, Gadala Naveen, and Mohammed Adhnan Mahboob won the Best Social Impact Business Idea for AGRODROID that envisions an AI-powered rover revolutionizing cotton farming. Each team won Rs 50,000 as a cash prize.

Dr Shanta Thoutam – Chief Innovation Officer, Telangana State Innovation Cell, ITE & C Dept., Government of Telangana said, “When Telangana state was formed we had two incubation centers. Nine years on, we have 80 incubation centers including those at academic centers. We are supporting them from ideation to problem-solving statements explicitly on technology-based incubation. We map the resources for them from grant money to prototyping support to market connect. We are moving ideas into the market with an emphasis on commercialization. We see potential in every idea. Our vision is to have an incubation center in all tier 1 and 2 cities and an innovator in every household.”

Among the finalists were also The Fashion Brand (IIT BHU), Tech Redi (RBVRR Women’s College) and AGRO INDIA (SVKM’S NMIMS School Of Agricultural Sciences And Technology).