ACHARYA – 3 day Faculty Development Program on Innovation and Entrepreneurship at SMVITM

The SMVITM Incubation Centre, in collaboration with the Entrepreneurship Development Cell and Institute Innovation Council inaugurated a 3 day FDP from 16 to 18 December 2024 on Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
The Chief Guest for the inaugural function was Dr. Chandramouli, CEO, Atal Innovation Centre – Sri Krishnadevaraya Uuniversity, Ananthpur, A.P, along with other dignitaries on stage, who included Mr. Vishwas, Director, SI8, Mangalore, Mr. Harish Belman, Governing Council Member, SMVITM and Dr. Thirumaleshwar Bhat, Principal, SMVITM. Another expert resource person included Dr. Shivakiran Makam, Director, Planning and Collaborations, SI8, Mangalore. The emcee for the event was Ms. Akshatha Rao, Asst Prof, Department of Electronics and Communication, SMVITM. The first day of the program by Dr Mouli provided participants with valuable insights into the innovation landscape, a design thinking workshop, and exposure to the start-up and incubator ecosystem. These sessions aimed to establish a foundation for creativity, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial growth, enabling faculty members who were the participants to understand the broader ecosystem, its opportunities and scope to guide students with innovative ideas. The second day of the program focused on “Incubator Design” and “Incubator Governance – Establishment, Operations & Sustenance in HEI’s” The sessions were aimed at equipping participants with the knowledge and skills required to design,manage, and sustain incubation centers within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).Day 3 began with an insightful online session led by Dr. Shivakiran Makam, focusing on supporting policies that are crucial for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. The session covered the National Innovation and Startup Policy (NISP) for institutes, and other policies essential for startups and incubators, providing a strong foundation for understanding the regulatory and institutional frameworks that support startups and research institutions. This was followed by an engaging discussion on Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), exploring the process of transforming ideas into innovations and further into tangible technology transfers. Dr. Kiran emphasized the importance of protecting intellectual assets and effectively navigating the commercialization process. In the afternoon session, Dr. Shivakiran introduced various government grants such as those offered by BIRAC, DST, DSIR, DRDO, and MSME. He highlighted their role in fostering innovation and explained how startups could benefit from the Startup India scheme, providing practical strategies for accessing and leveraging these funding opportunities. The conversation then shifted to the governance structure of incubators, where participants gained valuable insights into the operational frameworks and management models required for successful incubation centres.The sessions throughout the 3 days provided a comprehensive understanding of innovation, funding, incubation, and the essential frameworks needed to foster and sustain entrepreneurial ventures.