The AICTE-sponsored Faculty Development Program (FDP) on "Innovation and Entrepreneurship" held from March 18–22, 2025, at Ajay Kumar Garg Engineering College, Ghaziabad, was attended by Dr. Namita Nigam and Dr. Smita Agarwal from Jaipuria Institute of Management. This five-day immersive learning experience aimed to equip educators with essential frameworks, tools, and mentoring capabilities to support and guide student-led innovation and startup initiatives.
Day 1 Highlights: Inaugural & Entrepreneurial Mindset Building
The program began with an inspiring inaugural session featuring dignitaries such as Dr. Lalit Sharma (Director, IIE Guwahati), Dr. Hemant Ahuja (Director, AKGEC), Prof. Rahul Sharma (Head, IDEA Lab), and Dr. Ashiv Shah (Head, TIFAC Core).
Key Sessions:
- Evangelising Entrepreneurship Among Students by Dr. Lalit Sharma, emphasizing hands-on learning activities like simulations, role plays, and pitching competitions.
- Value Proposition & Lean Startup by Mr. Ashish Jain, who introduced frameworks for developing compelling value propositions and applying Lean Startup methodologies.
Learning Outcomes:
- Enhanced entrepreneurial mindset
- Practical application of Lean Startup principles
Day 2: Customer Discovery & Creative Ideation
Key Sessions:
- Customer Discovery by Mr. Sachin Sharma highlighted the importance of empathy maps, journey mapping, and the Design Thinking process.
- Creativity and Idea Generation by Dr. Rita Sengupta covered brainstorming, mind mapping, and SCAMPER techniques.
- Interactive Workshop on overcoming creative blocks and applying SCAMPER for real-life scenarios.
Learning Outcomes:
- Mastery in identifying real customer pain points
- Enhanced creative problem-solving skills
Day 3: Startup Finance & Business Model Innovation
Key Sessions:
- Finance for Startups by Mr. Saurabh Kumar discussed GOI schemes like NIDHI, NIDHI PRAYAS, and Seed Support Systems.
- Business Model Canvas (BMC) by Mr. Praveen Kapoor included interactive activities on designing a zero-budget startup.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understanding funding mechanisms and exit strategies
- Strategic alignment of business models using BMC
Day 4: Investor Pitching, Go-to-Market Strategy & Campus Innovation
Key Sessions:
- How to Pitch to Investors & Building the Right Team by Mr. Chandan Tiwari detailed effective pitching techniques and team-building insights.
- Go-to-Market Strategy introduced actionable roadmaps for launching new products and services.
- Leading I&E Activities on Campus by Mr. Abhishek Tiwari emphasized empathy mapping and mentoring approaches.
Learning Outcomes:
- Proficiency in pitch development and team formation
- Strategies for fostering campus innovation ecosystems
Day 5: Intellectual Property & Industry Visits
Key Sessions:
- Intellectual Property Rights for Startups by Mr. Harish Sharma explained IP types and their importance for early-stage ventures.
- Visit to Centers of Excellence & Incubation Centres at AKGEC provided firsthand exposure to robotics, automation, and industrial collaboration hubs.
- Valedictory & Feedback Session concluded the program with certificate distribution and participant reflections.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understanding the role of IP in safeguarding innovation
- Real-world insights into incubation and technology transfer
The FDP served as a vital platform for faculty development, offering comprehensive insights into the realms of innovation, entrepreneurship, funding, team building, and intellectual property. With real-world case studies, hands-on sessions, and expert-led discussions, faculty members are now better prepared to inspire and guide the next generation of student entrepreneurs.
A special note of thanks to the Director of Jaipuria Institute of Management, Ghaziabad, for the opportunity to be part of this enriching learning experience.
