The Veterinary and Livestock Innovation and Incubation Foundation (VLIIF) at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University in Ludhiana, Punjab recently hosted the Start-up and Entrepreneurship Grand Challenge on 27th June, 2024. This collaborative event with Start-up Punjab, Govt. of Punjab, aimed to cultivate a spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation among aspiring entrepreneurs.
In a formal statement, Dr. Inderjeet Singh, Vice-Chancellor, emphasized the university’s dedication to promoting startups and establishing an environment conducive to entrepreneurial growth. This marks the first proactive approach the Vet Varsity has taken in nurturing a culture of entrepreneurship within the university.
Dr. R.S. Sethi, Director of VLIIF and Dean of College of Dairy and Food Science Technology, extended a warm welcome to the participants and announced the generous grant of Rs 5 crore from the Department of Science and Technology (DST) – National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) to establish an inclusive Technology Business Incubator (i-TBI). This incubator will play a significant role in nurturing innovation, entrepreneurship, and academic excellence within the university community.
The Start-up and Entrepreneurship Grand Challenge is the first in a series of planned events, providing opportunities for students and rural youth to explore startup possibilities within the veterinary and livestock sector. Dr. S.S. Gosal, Vice-chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University, and the event’s chief guest, commended the Vet Varsity for its commitment to promoting entrepreneurship in the field.
At the event, Mr. Deepinder Dhillon, Joint Director of Invest Punjab, provided insights into the various initiatives of the Government of Punjab in connecting incubators with stakeholders. Start-up Punjab will be awarding cash prizes to the top three ideas. Additionally, Dr. Dapinder Kaur Bakshi, Joint Director of Punjab State Council for Science & Technology, highlighted the significance of science and technology in generating innovative ideas. Dr. Rakesh Kumar Verma, Additional Director of Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) Mohali, highlighted the government’s efforts in fostering innovative ideas.
Dr. Parkash Singh Brar, Director of Extension Education, congratulated Dr. R.S. Sethi and his team for their initiative. The event also featured expert lectures by Mr. Jyoti Saroop, Founder and Managing Director of The Unati Cooperative Marketing cum Processing Society Ltd, Dr. Radhika Trikha, Chief Operating Officer of AWaDH, IIT, Ropar, and Mr. Shibananda Dash, Director of Munjal Birmingham City University Centre of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Ludhiana.
In conclusion, the Start-up and Entrepreneurship Grand Challenge served as a platform for the exchange of innovative ideas and the promotion of entrepreneurial spirit within the veterinary and livestock sector. It not only provided a valuable learning experience for participants but also paved the way for the next generation of entrepreneurs to make significant contributions to the field. This initiative underscores the importance of creating a supportive ecosystem for aspiring entrepreneurs and fostering a culture of innovation and creativity within academia.