Shillong, Jan 9: The Assam Royal Global University hosted the regional meet of the Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) in coordination with the Innovation Cell of the Ministry of Education on Tuesday. The meet was a one-day event for existing and prospective IIC institutions to participate in the innovation movement and get oriented with the various policy initiatives of MoE and AICTE for the development of innovation culture in academic institutions.
Delivering the welcome address, Chairperson (Academics) Prof. (Dr.) Alak Kumar Buragohain emphasized that social scientists and natural scientists must work in tandem for a much more robust process of innovation. He further said that fostering a collaboration between social and natural scientists is the key to innovation.
Further, Vice Chancellor of Royal Global University, Prof. (Dr.) S P Singh emphasised that innovation requires hard work, determination and passion and if diligence, persistence and commitment are lacking talent and knowledge are of no avail. India can tread on the path of becoming a vishwaguru or a super power only through systematic practice of innovation.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Hirak Ranjan Das, Deputy Director, Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship, Royal Global University welcomed the innovators, entrepreneurs and faculty members from across 7 states of the region and outlined the journey of the varsity’s innovation cell that encourages inventive energy in developing ideas and creating innovative initiatives to promote entrepreneurship.
The event was graced by Dipan Sahu, Assistant Innovation Director, MoE, innovation cell. He welcomed all the IIC institutions, HoDs, faculties, and students and shared the achievements of the institution’s Innovation Council and all the institutions under it. He also outlined how the IIC network has spread in almost all corners of the country.
The inaugural session was followed by a round table discussion with corporates, angel investors and incubators to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Regional IIC consortium, knowledge sharing session with IIC institutions, mentoring session and orientation session for YUKTI innovation challenge, an initiative of MoE was also part of the daylong event. ‘Udyami Bazaar’ an initiative to foster an environment to promote entrepreneurship ‘also took place providing local entrepreneurs an opportunity to display and sell locally made products.
Around 350+ faculty and student participants, which includes 50 + innovations/start-ups/ATL schools, 25+ IIC poster presenters and 50+ ecosystem enablers including angel investors, incubators, and resource agencies participated in the event held at Royal Global University. Monika Chowdhury, IIC, Regional In charge, ERO, Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell,Abhisekh Ranjan Innovation officer, MIC, Mrinal Konwar, Assistant Director, AICTE, Assam Chapter also graced the occasion.
The IIC Regional Meet is a confluence of networking designed for educational institutions to connect, highlight their innovative accomplishments, disseminate best practices, facilitate knowledge exchange, and foster idea transfer. The event aims to contribute to the advancement of innovation and the development of startup ecosystems within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
