Panjim: Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship (IDE) Bootcamps (Phase III) was inaugurated at NIT Goa on Monday, 29th April 2024. The inaugural took place in the presence of Shri. Pradeep Dhage (Director, MIC-Govt of India), Dr. Vivek Kamat (Director Technical Education -Govt of Goa), Prof. Jaiswal, Director NIT Goa and the trainers from Wadhani Group at the institute. The importance of establishing start-ups and entrepreneurial skills was explained by the dignitaries in the inauguration. The IDE Bootcamp Phase III aims to cultivate the innovation, design, and entrepreneurial prowess of student innovators from higher education institutes across the nation.

The bootcamp was launched by the Union Ministry of Education, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) & Ministry of Education's Innovation Cell (MIC) at 9 locations across the country. Prof. T. G. Sitharam, Chairman - AICTE from AICTE Headquarters, New Delhi did the honors of inaugurating it virtually.

Dr. Lalat Indu Giri, the nodal officer from NIT Goa, in collaboration with Shri. Pradeep Dhage, spearheaded the organization of this initiative at the NIT Goa's permanent campus, underscoring the institute’s commitment to nurturing talent and fostering entrepreneurship.

With over 2500 participating student innovators and Innovation Ambassadors, the initiative is poised to catalyze a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in India.

Scheduled from April 29th to May 3rd, 2024, the third phase of the IDE Bootcamp will unfold simultaneously across 9 locations in India. NIT Goa, along with eight other esteemed host institutes, including Maharaja Agrasen University Baddi, Amity University Raipur, and Banaras Hindu University Varanasi, aims to serve as a crucible for innovation and entrepreneurial learning.

Renowned speakers and design experts, both national and international, will deliver training sessions at these locations, enriching participants' understanding of product design, ergonomics, design thinking, and pitching skills crucial for success in today's dynamic business landscape.

Collaborating with the Wadhwani Foundation, renowned for its support of entrepreneurship education, the IDE Bootcamp will offer participants an immersive 5-day program focused on hands-on, experiential learning. The program will include motivational talks by startup founders, especially those from the Smart India Hackathon (SIH) alumni, inspiring students from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh to embark on entrepreneurial careers.

Throughout the bootcamp, participants will have the opportunity to showcase their innovations, engage in local tours for real-world insights, and culminate their journey with pitch presentations in front of expert panels comprising startup founders, incubators, IP experts, angel investors, VCs, directors, and knowledge agencies.

A total of 16 bootcamps were conducted in Phase-I and Phase-II, attracting over 4000 students and faculty members, underscoring the program's immense popularity. /BI