Secretary, Ministry of Education, Launches ‘Capacity Building on Design and Entrepreneurship (CBDE)’ Program

New Delhi: In a significant virtual event today, K. Sanjay Murthy, Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, inaugurated the ‘Capacity Building on Design and Entrepreneurship (CBDE)’ program. The launch witnessed the participation of various officials from the Department, members of the Program Advisory Council, mentors from the industry, representatives of selected Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), and other key stakeholders. More than 130 participants attended the meeting virtually.

During his address, K. Sanjay Murthy emphasized the collaborative nature of the program, highlighting the crucial role of industry-academia partnerships. He noted that industry experts would provide guidance and support to HEIs through various initiatives aimed at fostering linkage between academia and industry. He commended the rigorous selection process, through which 30 HEIs were chosen to implement the program.

The CBDE program is strategically designed to empower identified HEIs and faculty members to prioritize Design and Entrepreneurship development within their institutions, with extensive support from industry mentors. IIITDM, Kancheepuram, a Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Center (MMTTC), serves as the Nodal Centre for the program, overseeing the selection and implementation process. The program aims to instill in students a problem-solving approach, encouraging creative and innovative solutions to complex challenges, and facilitating the scaling up of ideas with the guidance of industry mentors.

Industry experts, including Manoj Kohli, Chairperson of the Program Advisory Council, CBDE, and Smt. Debjani Ghosh, President of NASSCOM, expressed optimism about the program’s outcomes. Shri Kohli emphasized the importance of linking initiatives with global investors and industry support for startups. Smt. Ghosh underscored the need to nurture an entrepreneurial mindset among students, complementing traditional technical skills with problem-solving abilities demanded by the industry.

Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, envisioned the program’s potential in addressing locally relevant challenges and producing effective solutions, garnering global recognition. Mentors from the industry, including Dr. Miftahul Barbaruah from the Confederation of Indian Industry, Assam Chapter, and Chandrasekaran Balakrishnan, former Chief Digital Data and Innovation Officer at Marsh McLennan Asia, highlighted the program’s role in transforming students into entrepreneurs and addressing societal challenges.

Prof. Sudhir Varadarajan, Program Director at IIITDM Kancheepuram, outlined the program’s future trajectory and provided guidance to participating HEIs on the implementation process. As the CBDE program sets its course, it aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry, nurturing innovative solutions and entrepreneurial talent among students.