Wadhwani Foundation and National Entrepreneurship Network Organized an Innovative 'Entrepreneurship Education Conclave'

With an aim to promote entrepreneurship education in the country, National Entrepreneurship Network (NEN), the flagship Initiative of Wadhwani Foundation organized the ‘Entrepreneurship Education Conclave’ at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

The primary objective of the conclave was to foster, promote and support innovators and leaders with entrepreneurial talent and to provide recognition and endorsement to budding entrepreneurs. The conclave succeeded in providing a platform for open dialogue amongst the leaders of academia to mainstream entrepreneurship education by providing training and support to entrepreneurship educators and demonstrated effective global models of entrepreneurship development, the challenges faced and the outcomes. It also highlighted models of emerging excellence and introduced a recognition channel for the growing entrepreneurship community of educators, mentors and program managers.

The conclave was graced by Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Hon’ble Minister of State (I/C) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship who gave the keynote address said, “One of Ministry’s initiatives is to collaborate with strategic partners in the public and private sphere by expanding the existing entrepreneurship education program and creating a pedagogy resource pool. I see this conclave as a great opportunity for churning and distilling original ideas that have practical application in promoting entrepreneurship culture and entrepreneurship education ecosystem amongst the students of our country. I look forward for a visionary co-operation of leaders in academia, policy makers, practicing mentors and the industry fraternity to join this mission as our moral responsibility that we owe to our aspiring youths of young India.”

Other dignitaries included Shri Sunil Arora, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Pawan Agarwal, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Ms. Jyotsna Sitling, IFS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Dr. Ajay Kela, President & CEO, Wadhwani Foundation said, “India needs to create 10-12 million jobs a year for the next two decades to realize its demographic dividend. A culture of widespread entrepreneurship creating cross-sector high-potential startups is one solution to this challenge. Wadhwani Foundation’s flagship initiative, National Entrepreneurship Network, for over a decade has been creating high potential entrepreneurs in colleges/universities across India who in turn create meaningful companies and jobs. It gives me great pleasure that NEN has organized this first-of-its-kind ‘Entrepreneurship Education Conclave’ to promote entrepreneurship education. I hope the support and recognition given to educators, entrepreneurs and leaders through this conclave will catalyze our efforts in entrepreneurial development and create new avenues for economic growth.”

The conclave partners have been known for their commitment to entrepreneurship development. Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is striving to make broad policies and catalyze existing and new skill development and entrepreneurship initiatives in the country. British Council (through policy dialogues) connects people to debate the challenges and opportunities facing International Higher Education. Intel (through its higher education program in India) works closely with premier engineering universities, research institutions and the Government, to build a more skilled workforce and an enabling ecosystem that supports innovation and entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India is focused to become a catalyst in facilitating emergence of competent first generation entrepreneurs and transition of existing MSMEs into growth oriented enterprises through entrepreneurship education, training, research and institution building.

Some of the seasoned panelists of the conclave included Shri Pawan Agarwal, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Ms. Jyotsna Sitling, IFS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Prof. Sunil Shukla (EDII), Prof. Ernest Cadotte (University of Tennessee), Ms Swati Samaddar (Intel), Ms Parul Soni (E&Y), Prof. Jay Bal (Course Leader for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Warwick manufacturing group, Warwick University) and Sunita Singh, co -founder NEN and VP-Wadhwani Foundation.
Speaking about the conclave, Sashi Chimala, Executive Vice President, National Entrepreneurship Network (NEN) said, “Educational Institutes have a vital role to play in grooming the next generation of entrepreneurs in India. Wadhwani Foundation and National Entrepreneurship Network (NEN) are delighted to bring together the key stakeholders, including the policy makers and educators, to shape the future of entrepreneurship education in India. ‘Entrepreneurship Education Conclave’ is the first ever event to recognize the best educators of entrepreneurship in India. We are proud of our long standing partnership with these institutes in pioneering entrepreneurship education in India."

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