Webinar on “Innovation Start-ups and Entrepreneurship for Shaping Future of Educated Youth”

Date: 27-08-2024

Event Venue/Time: 11:00am-01:00 pmthrough online platform (Google meet).

Organizing department: University Institute of Sciences

Name of the scheme: Under the aegis of IQAC and IIC, SBBSU

Number of Participants in such activities: 98

Event Report

The University Institute of Sciences under the aegis of IQAC and IIC, Sant Baba Bhag Singh University, Jalandhar, organized an online expert lecture on the topic “Innovation Start-ups and Entrepreneurship for Shaping the Future of Educated Youth” under the supervision of Honorable Chancellor, Sant Mohanmohan Singh Ji, and Vice Chancellor, Dr. Dharamjit Singh Parmar on 27 August 2024.
Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Assistant Professor, Department of Biosciences, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, was the keynote speaker for the event. The webinar was inaugurated by the worthy Vice Chancellor with a welcome note for the keynote speaker and all the participants.
Dr. Nisha Sharma (Deputy Dean, UIS, Convener of the event) and Dr. Younis Ahmad (Organizing Secretary) welcomed the speaker (Dr. Rajesh Kumar) and all participants. They had also motivated all the participants to utilize this lecture as a unique opportunity to gain awareness about how to establish a startup and create innovative avenues for entrepreneurship. Dr. Honey Sharma (Coordinator, Physical Sciences, Member IIC, and Co-convener of the event) had given a brief biography and academic, research contributions of the speaker.
Approximately more than 100 participants attended the expert lecture through Google Meet. The Google Meet link was shared with all the registered participants one day prior.
During the lecture, Dr. Kumar introduced the concept of startups, innovation, and entrepreneurship, and the role of startups in job creation. Further, Dr. Kumar elaborated on the importance of startups in the current era to develop sources of economic growth and also presented already existing technologies in an innovative fashion.
Dr. Kumar also shed light on how to draft proposals for the development of startups and how to get registered for a startup. He also presented some case studies of startups like vermitechnology and honey-based startups, through which Dr. Kumar explained various steps for initiating startups.
Additionally, he discussed how promoting innovation, startups, and entrepreneurship among educated youth is vital in the current era, as it provides alternative pathways for job creation amidst the decline of traditional jobs due to automation and AI. This also addresses youth unemployment by creating new opportunities and industries.
Startups drive technological and social innovation, contributing to economic growth and opening new markets by encouraging the development of products and services that meet emerging needs. Furthermore, Dr. Kumar explained how entrepreneurship empowers young people by fostering essential skills such as problem-solving, leadership, and resilience, promoting independence, and reducing dependency on traditional employment sectors.
A question-and-answer session was held at the end of the session, during which various research scholars, faculty members, and students raised queries regarding startups, the risk factors involved, procurement of funding, and the process of applying for startup funding from relevant agencies. Ms. Sonia Sharma (Assistant Professor) interacted with the speaker and posed various questions. Dr. Kumar provided thorough guidance in all aspects and addressed all the participants' queries.
At the end of the webinar, Dr. Aksh Sharma (Coordinator, Department of Life Sciences and Allied Health Sciences, Co-convener of the event) delivered a vote of thanks to the respected speaker of the day, Dr. Rajesh Kumar, for sparing his precious time from his busy schedule and sharing his valuable knowledge and expertise. Dr. Younis Ahmad Hajam also thanked all the organizing committee members, students, and other participants for making this online expert lecture successful.