The Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) at SiliconTech, the engineering institute of Silicon University, organized a series of impact evaluation and progress monitoring visits to its mentee institutions from 15 June to 30 July 2024. These visits aimed to review the progress of the mentee institutions’ IICs, provide insights for further improvements, and foster an innovation-driven ecosystem.
On 15 June 2024, Dr. Mahendra Prasad Agasty, President of the IIC at SiliconTech, visited Dispur College, Assam, to review the progress of its IIC. During the one-day visit, he met with Dr. Navajyoti Borah, Principal of the institute to discuss strategies for enhancing student innovation activities. He also interacted with the IIC President, Coordinator, and faculty members involved in IIC to assess the implementation of ongoing projects and suggest new initiatives to encourage student participation. Dr. Agasty addressed the students, inspiring them to consider entrepreneurship a rewarding career.
On 17 July 2024, Dr. Agasty and Dr. Tapas Kumar Maji visited Dhaneswar Rath Institute of Engineering and Medical Sciences (DRIEMS) Polytechnic, Cuttack to review its IIC. During the visit, they suggested incorporating local industry collaborations to enhance practical exposure for students. They also toured the pre-incubation facilities and recommended the establishment of an ED Cell to enhance incubation support.
The following day, on 18 July 2024, Dr. Agasty, and Dr. Arnab Pal visited Gandhi Institute for Education and Technology (GIET), Bhubaneswar, to evaluate its IIC. During the visit, they outlined a roadmap for expanding entrepreneurial initiatives and encouraged the students to explore entrepreneurship as a promising career path by emphasizing the role of technology in modern startups. Dr. Agasty and Dr. Pal suggested integrating mentorship programs by industry experts and stressed the need to establish an ED Cell to support aspiring entrepreneurs.
On 29 July 2024, Dr. Agasty visited Model Mahila College, Jharkhand, where he discussed the role of the IIC in empowering women entrepreneurs. He also engaged with the IIC President and coordinators to assess their unique initiatives focusing on women-led startups. During the visit, he inaugurated a dedicated ED Cell and discussed collaborative programs with other institutions to foster innovation. He also recommended the creation of a network of alumni entrepreneurs to mentor students.
The final visit in this series took place on 30 July 2024 to Dr. Ambedkar Memorial Institute of Information Technology and Management Science (DAMITS), Rourkela. Dr. Agasty met with Dr. Bhabani Shankar Dash, Principal of the institute, and interacted with the IIC team to assess the center’s progress. He addressed the students, inaugurated a new ED Cell, and offered insightful recommendations to enhance the institution’s incubation facilities, assuring ongoing support for DAMITS’s IIC.
These visits by Dr. Agasty and his team have left a positive impact on all the mentee institutions, reinforcing their commitment to nurturing innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit among students.
