Bengal Institute of Technology and Management, Santiniketan

A report on Entrepreneurship Development Cell 2007-2012

Bengal Institute of Technology & Management, Santiniketan

A Report on Entrepreneurship Development Cell 2007-2012

Acknowledgement
The Entrepreneurship Development Cell, BITM, Santiniketan, hereby expresses its deep sense of gratitude to the Chairman, Camellia Group for his continuous encouragement and support to initiate and sustain the entrepreneurial culture which has now taken the shape of an academic movement across the educational domain of India. The EDC humbly acknowledges the support and nourishment that it has received from the management of Camellia Group as a whole. The EDC is particularly indebted to the Director, BITM for his proactive leadership. The EDC acknowledges the contribution of its entire member faculty who have devoted a lot of their time, in addition to their regular academic involvement, to accomplish successful completion of several programmes. The EDC acknowledges the support of the Dean, Professors, HODs, Officers and members of the faculty of BITM, Santiniketan. The EDC, particularly acknowledges the contribution and support of all the external facilitating agencies who have enriched the EDC with their resources. The EDC congratulates its student E-leaders and members for their continuous perseverance towards coordinating entrepreneurial activities.

Contents

1. Introduction 1.1 Objectives of EDC 1.2 Proposed functions of EDC 2. Genesis of Entrepreneurship Development Cell at BITM, Santiniketan

3. Organogram of Entrepreneurship Development Cell of BITM, Santiniketan

4. Activities of Entrepreneurship Development Cell (EDC), BITM, Santiniketan 4.1 Pre-EDC set up activities 4.2 Post-EDC set up activities

5. Forthcoming activities of Entrepreneurship Development Cell, BITM, Santiniketan in 2013 (till March, 2013)

1. Introduction
In India a large number of technical institutions and institutions of higher learning have emerged since independence as a result of continuous systematic and conscious intervention of the Government. Many of these initiatives are comparable to the best global institutions. These institutions are churning out large number of trained and skilled manpower, thus, meeting the demand of the industries, R&D organizations and other sectors of the economy. In the wake of economic liberalization during the 1990s, significant number of institutions of higher learning has also been promoted by the private sector. In order to make optimal use of facilities, expertise and know-how available in these institutions for the benefit of the society, it is necessary that appropriate links are established between them and the industry. In addition, young technocrats are also looking out for opportunities to exploit their full potential by setting up their own ventures thus becoming job generators rather than job seekers. This necessitates systematic interventions and new instruments which could facilitate the development and growth of new ventures by thechnocrats. In this context, some of the mechanisms which have become popular the world over include science parks, technology parks, technology business incubators, technopolis, schools of small business development, innovation centres etc. The post independence era required rapid industrialization and self-reliance and the small scale sector played a vital role in shaping the destiny of Indian economy. It emerged as a vibrant and dynamic sector since independence. This was made possible with the support of government both in terms of finance as well as policies and programmes. The Govt. of India has been constantly encouraging the development of small scale industries by providing a wide range of policy measures, concessions, exemptions and incentives that enable them to withstand competition from large scale manufacturers. In fact, it is one of the success stories of modern India. Today the sector accounts for about 95% of the industrial units and contributes about 40% of value addition in the manufacturing sector and 33% of national exports. There are about 28 lakh units spread all over the country which provide employment to 160 lakh people. The indirect employment created through forward and backward linkages is also equally important. The sector now produces over 7500 items. Industrial clusters such as foundry in Agra, hand tools in Jallandhar, handicrafts in Santiniketan, Bishnupur and Bankura, lock industry in Aligarh, brassware in Muradabad, hosiery in Tripur and Kanpur, sports goods in Jallandhar, sewing machine components in Ludhiana, pottery in Khurja etc. have emerged as new economic temples of India.

The new education policy of 1986 has emphasized the need for vocationalisation of technical education at various levels. Thus, it is necessary to develop mechanisms so that academic institutions could focus their attention on entrepreneurship and self-employment in addition to their present mandate of churning out trained manpower. Most of the institutes of higher learning and technical institutions have developed infrastructures to initiate and disseminate entrepreneurship education and the requirement of the hour is trained faculty and focused programmes to inculcate entrepreneurial spirit. The academic institutions, which are leaders in developing human resources, with some modulation and change in focus, could then churn techno entrepreneurs on a continuous basis, which would accelerate the process of economic development and growth. Academic institutions must undertake this role and blend their technical inputs with entrepreneurial and managerial skills in their academic programmes and train personnel for entrepreneurial challenges. If India were to take leadership in industrial production of even a few items of sophisticated nature in the 21st century, it will be essential that a considerable cross section of science and technology community (scientists, technologists, engineers) choose entrepreneurship as their vocation rather than merely assuming supervisory/managerial positions in various enterprises. By opting entrepreneurship as their careers, these persons would be able to influence decisions with regard to products and processes of their ventures. Thus they would be able to participate directly in the economic development of the country and hence the need to promote entrepreneurship among science, technology and management studies. The Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India has set up the National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB) in the year 1982.The Board has been trying to set up institutional mechanisms which could act as support system for technocrat entrepreneurs. The scheme for establishment of Entrepreneurship Development Cells (EDCs) in academic institutions was one such initiative taken by the NSTEDB in 1986-87. Already, EDCs have been established in more than 50 academic institutions. It is now felt to look at the concept of EDCs afresh so that these could meet the challenges posed by the current era of economic liberalization and globalization. Thus, the new/revised guidelines have been evolved.

1.1 Objectives of the EDC

To act as an institutional mechanism for providing various services including information on all aspect of enterprise building to budding science & technology and management entrepreneurs.

 To create entrepreneurial culture in the parent institution and other institutions in the region and to promote the objectives of NSTEDB, including programmes related to women and weaker sections of the society. To foster better linkages between the parent institution, industries and R&D institutions in the region and other related organizations engaged in promoting Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs). To catalyse and promote development of science and technology based enterprises and promote employment opportunities in the innovative areas. To respond effectively to the emerging challenges and opportunities both at national and international level relating to SMEs and micro enterprises.

1.2 Proposed functions of EDC

To organise entrepreneurship awareness camps, entrepreneurship development programmes and faculty development programmes in the region for the benefit of technology oriented persons. To develop and introduce curriculum on entrepreneurship development at various levels including degree/diploma courses of the parent institution and other institutes in the region. To conduct research work and survey for identifying entrepreneurial opportunities To guide and assist prospective entrepreneurs on various aspects such as preparing project reports, obtaining project approvals, loans and facilities from agencies of support system, information of technologies etc. To organise guest lectures, TV and radio talks, seminars etc. for promotion and growth of science and technology based entrepreneurship. To arrange visits to industries for prospective entrepreneurs. To extend necessary guidance and escort services to the trainees in obtaining approval and execution of their projects. To act as a regional information centre on business opportunities, processes, technologies, market, etc. by creating and maintaining relevant data bases. To provide testing, calibration, quality assurance, design, tool room, pilot plant and other incubating services.

2. Genesis of Entrepreneurship Development Cell at BITM, Santiniketan

BITM, Santiniketan was set up in the year 2001 with an objective to disseminate technical education amongst the knowledge aspirants of rural Bengal. Set under the aegis of Camellia Group of Kolkata, BITM, Santiniketan offered engineering, management and hospitality management courses to start with and added computer application subsequently. In 2001, when BITM, Santiniketan started its academic journey it housed 200 students (apprx.) and 15 members of the faculty. Today BITM, Santiniketan has expanded its student base in excess of 2000 and faculty base to in excess of 100. Apart from these the institute has grown in volume with respect to infrastructure and facilities. BITM, Santiniketan is now networked with a number of Govt. and private organisations who facilitate enhanced knowledge transactions. It is now connected to Infosys (through Campus Connect programmes), Wipro (through Mission 10X programmes), ARE Lab and Kyieron Technology (through Robotics workshops), TCS (through IBSA programmes), Bengal National Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Enterprise Development Institute, EDII, Ahmedabad etc. With the growing demand of research and project based curricula, BITM Santiniketan was prompt to respond and adapt radical changes that took place in the educational environment with the introduction of partnership ventures and integration of entrepreneurship programmes. The concept of entrepreneurship and its allied academic areas started featuring in the regular academic curricula of the IITs, IIMs and the NITs as they quickly realized that they need to produce a productive workforce that will act as job-generator rather than job seeker. The evolution of entrepreneurship as an adjunct academic involvement has allowed the student community to express and expose their subliminal aspirations to explore into the area of venturer and transpose imaginations into productive output through innovations while applying his/her technical knowledge. The Entrepreneurship Development Cell of BITM, Santiniketan, commonly known as EDC, has been established with the objective of creating, fostering and promoting the spirit of entrepreneurship among the youth of the nation. Created in the early months of 2007, the cell has already taken rapid strides in cultivating entrepreneurial temper and has succeeded in carving a niche for itself. The cell has organized a plethora of events under its aegis in the few months since its inception and these events have witnessed healthy participation from students, not only from BITM, Santiniketan but also from colleges all across the state. The success of these events has boosted our confidence and we at EDC, BITM, Santiniketan aim to continue rolling the wheel we

have set into motion. In pursuance of its goals, the cell has set up both short and long-term objectives. The short term objectives aim at bolstering an environment conducive for entrepreneurial thinking and action through the organization of a variety of entrepreneurshiporiented events such as business plan contests, case studies, business quizzes, social entrepreneurship issues' solutions and so forth. The long term objectives aim at setting up an incubator at BITM, Santiniketan for aiding students who have a marketable idea or project and aspire to start their own ventures. The EDC of BITM, Santiniketan will continue its endeavour to locate students who have a strong urge to risk into the battlefield of venture capitalists or are having a dream/idea which can be nurtured and refined to fit into the viability scale of a start-up business. The EDC of BITM, Santiniketan will act as a liaison node between the aspiring student entrepreneurs and the facilitating agencies with whom it has already tied up to support them prepare their business projects & its documentations, to enlighten them with the Govt. funding schemes, to undergo mentoring sessions with renowned entrepreneurs and to link them up with financial institutions for support. The EDC, BITM, Santiniketan has already initiated these activities and has dedicated a full week every year to be observed as Entrepreneurship Week under the collaborative venture with National Entrepreneurship Network, where the student community are actively engaged in assorted activities starting from generating mass public awareness regarding entrepreneurship culture, displaying their innovative ideas and even set up a bazaar-on-campus to sell their products. In the year 2011, BITM, Santiniketan submitted a proposal to All India Council for Technical Education, under their establishment of Entrepreneurship Development Cell scheme, to set up a full-fledged EDC at BITM. The proposal was submitted by sighting the activities and collaborative ventures that were already taken up by the existing EDC of BITM, Santiniketan. The proposal was refined twice to fit into the criteria and in the month of March, 2012, BITM received the grant-inaid under EDC scheme for the financial year 2011-2012. The total grant was Rs. 7,80,000.00 (Rupees Seven lacs eighty thousand only) out of which the first phase of the grant tantamounting to Rs. 3,90,000.00 (Rupees Three lacs ninety thousand only) was already received by the institute. The existing EDC of BITM under the chairmanship of the Director, BITM promptly responded to the offer and set up an EDC office in the institutes premise which has been well -equipped with hardwares and other peripherals. The EDC office was inaugurated by the Director, BITM (also the Chirman, EDC) on 28th January, 2013. The office shall act as a hub of activities and shall be equally used by the EDC faculty and student members for different projects and activities.

The EDC of BITM, Santiniketan is now headed by Prof.(Dr.) A.K. Mukhopadhyay (Director, BITM) as the Chairman, EDC. The Coordinator of the cell is Dr. Arup Kumar Baksi. The faculty members of EDC are Mr. Soumen Bhowmik (Dept. of CSI), Mr. Debaprasad Sinha (Dept. of ECE), Mr. Anirban Chkroborty (Dept. of Hospitality Mgmt.), Mr. Uddalok Chatterjee (Dept. of CSI), Mr. Gurucharan Banerjee (Dept. of CSI) & Mr. Souvik Singha (Dept. of CSI). The HODs of various departments are Ex-officio members of the cell. The EDC is supported by 5 student ELeaders (who have received international certification from NEN) and 25 student coordinators. The present student membership of EDC, BITM, through National Entrepreneurship Network, as of now is 298. The EDC, BITM is proud to have in its advisory body Dr. Debashsish Ghosh, Principal Scientist, Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, Durgapur, Dr. Shyamal Das, Scientist, Fibre Optics Lab, Central Glass & Ceramic Research Institute, Jadavpur, Kolkata, Dr. Manick Chatterjee, Sr. Manager, West Bengal Rural Bank, Mr. Debmalya Bhattacharya, Consultant, National Entrepreneurship Network, Prof. J. K. Roy, Entrepreneur, Mr. Subir Roy, Coordinator, EDI, Govt. of West Bengal etc. In coming future the EDC, BITM, Santiniketan will fully utilize its 2nd phase of grant to conduct a number of EDPs, Seminars and it will particularly focus on supporting aspiring student entrepreneurs to convert their dreams into reality.

3. Organogram of Entrepreneurship Development Cell, BITM, Santiniketan

Chairman, Camellia Group Chief Patron

Advisory Board of EDC

Chairman, EDC, BITM Direcor, BITM Chairman, EDC, BITM Coordinator, EDC, BITM

Coordinator, EDC, BITM

Member Faculty, EDC, BITM-2

Faculty Members, EDC, BITM

EDC, BITM

Representative of R&D Institute-2

Representative of Bank2 Entrepreneur

Student Members, EDC, BITM

Representative of NABARD & SIDBI Representative of NSTEDB, GOI Representative of DIC, Birbhum

4. Activities Santiniketan

of

Entrepreneurship

Development

Cell

(EDC),

BITM,

4.1 Pre-EDC set up activities: The initial focus on entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial activities in BITM started in the year 2007 with a workshop featuring local entrepreneurs. The programme was in collaboration with National Entrepreneurship Network. Prior to this, in 2003, a 7-day workshop was held on the application of Rural biotechnology in association with Department of Chemical Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata. The workshop was coordinated jointly by Dr. Parimal Chakroborty of Jadavpur University and Dr. A.K. Mukherjee of BITM, Santiniketan. The workshop mainly featured the local entrepreneurs who are involved in food-business. They were trained to use the simple biotechnological inputs to preserve their finished products for a longer period of time and increase their shelf life. The endeavour for setting up a full-fledged Entrepreneurship Development Cell at BITM started in the month of July, 2008. On 7th July, 2008 National Entrepreneurship Network (NEN) organized a One-day Seminar on Entrepreneurship Awareness for the teachers and the students. The programme was co-sponsored by TATA. The seminar was delivered by Mr. Debmalya Bhattacharya, NEN Consultant. The seminar ended with a small competition amongst the students.

Mr. Debmalya Bhattacharya, delivering seminar.

Participant students of BITM in the One-day Seminar on Entrepreneurship Awareness

Interaction between Faculty members, BITM and NEN Consultant

Award distribution of Students competition.

End of the seminar

 Collaboration with NATIONAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP NETWORK was ensured by signing up a MOU on 12-09-2008. The objective of this collaborative networking with NEN was to access the expertise of the same to set up permanent EDC in BITM and to host series of workshops and seminars to spread entrepreneurship awareness amongst students. In addition to this, BITM targeted to be a hub of Entrepreneurship Training Programs for the local entrepreneurs. NEN offered FDPs, students orientation programme and induction programme.

First Memorandum-of-understanding with National Entrepreneurship Network

 First Seminar on Entrepreneurship Awareness at BITM was delivered by Mr. Debmalya Bhattacharya, Consultant NEN on 25-09-2008 BITM sponsored in full 5 students from assorted departments to participate in E-Leader workshop held at BCET, Durgapur: August, 2008 Formation of EDC, BITM : 17-12-2008

4.2 Post EDC set up activities

EDC, BITM sponsored 3 students to participate in EAC at Netaji subhash Engg. College, Kolkata : October, 2008 Ms. Swati Mukherjee, Faculty, DMS was sponsored to attend a 14 day workshop on Entrepreneurship organised by BNCCI : September, 2008 Mr. Soumen Bhowmik, Faculty & HOD, Dept. of CSI was sponsored to attend FDP course jointly conducted by NEN & IIM Bangalore : DECEMBER, 2008 Three-day workshop in collaboration with Enterprise Development Institute (under the aegis of Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India): 19th, 20th and 21st December, 2008. No. of students participated: 45, No. of faculty member participated: 05. (Delegates: Prof. (Dr.) Sharmistha Banerjee, Faculty Member, EDI, Mr. S.K. Moitra, GM, DIC, Birbhum, Prof. (Dr.) Manas Ghosh, Mr. Ramjyoti Goswami, Lead District Manager, UBI). The workshop ended with an industrial tour of the students to Developers Consortium Limited, Birbhum (under MSME) sponsored by Enterprise Development Institute (under the aegis of Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India) on 21 st December, 2008. This was the first collaborative workshop with EDI which literally amalgamate the concept of entrepreneurship & its implication with the existing academic culture of BITM, Santiniketan. The event was a curtain-raiser for many a successive successful initiatives taken up by EDC, BITM, Santiniketan. Prof. (Dr.) Sharmistha Banerjee, in her seminar lecture made a strong deliberation on the essence of entrepreneurship education in technical institutes. Mr. S. K. Moitra, GM, DIC, Birbhum apprised the audience with the activities take up at the districts DIC level to support young entrepreneurs. Mr. R. Goswami of UBI explained the banks initiative to financially support entrepreneurs with viable business projects. On 21st December, 2008 the students and faculty members visited the Developers Consortium Limited, Birbhum (under MSME) to witness a prospering

handicraft unit which has gained significant acknowledgement from its customer base. The students were allowed to take a look into the production unit of DCL and they also interacted with the concerned authority to gain indepth knowledge about the initiative.

3-day Entrepreneurship Awareness Camp at BITM in association with EDI, Kolkata

Entrepreneurial tour for the students at DCL, Birbhum.

Students in the workshop Conducted a live project with BANDHAN [a microfinance firm] Project supervisor: Ms. Nibedita Konar, Faculty, DMS, BITM: February, 2009 subsequently presented and published in conference proceedings of IMT Ghaziabad in August, 2009. Submitted Proposal under IEDC scheme of AICTE: September, 2009 Solo Seminar delivered by Dr. Manick Chatterjee, Sr. Manager, Paschim Banga Grameen Bank on Rural Entrepreneurship & Microfinance: 10 -09-2009

Solo-seminar by Dr. Manick Chatterjee

 Solo Seminar delivered by Mr. Subhabrata Bhattacharya, Consultant, NEN on Motivation & Incubation: 7-10-2009 Mr. Subhabrata Bhattacharya, Consultant, National Entrepreneurship Network, delivered a solo-seminar on Motivation and Incubation. The seminar focused on entrepreneurial motivation and converting the entrepreneurship-related activities into a proper training centre for the aspiring entrepreneurs. Mr. Bhattacharya suggested that the EDC of BITM, in the long run should think about establishing a vibrant incubation centre which will train and equip local entrepreneurs with technical knowledge and simultaneously would render solution to their problems in allied areas. The incubation centre would also focus on refining an idea and offer viable project based on it. The incubation centre would be a revenue generating agent for the EDC.

Mr. Subhabrata Bhattacharya, Consultant, National Entrepreneurship Network, delivered a solo-seminar on Motivation and Incubation Submitted proposal to Director, MSME to arrange EAC Three-day workshop in collaboration with Bengal National Chamber of Commerce & Industries and Enterprise Development Institute (EDI, under the aegis of Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India : 07th, 8th and 9th December, 2009. No. of students participated: 32, No. of faculty member participated: 05.

 Industrial tour of the students sponsored by BNCCI to Confetti, Birbhum on 21 st December, 2009. Submitted proposal to NSTEDB to structurise the EDC and organise EAC Launched the first ever Entrepreneurial newsletter novus on March, 2010 The EDC launched its own newsletter novus in the month of March, 2010 , on the occasion of Entrepreneurship Week-2010. The newsletter was inaugurated by Prof. C.T. Bhunia, Director, BITM (2008-2011). The name novus was proposed by Mr. Arunava Bhattacharya, former faculty member of the Department of Management Science, BITM. The latin term novus means novelty which hinted towards one of the key features in entrepreneurship: INNOVATION.

Inauguration of the first issue of novus by Prof. C.T. Bhunia, former Director, BITM, Santiniketan

Observed the first Entrepreneurship Week alongwith thousands of institutes like the IITs, IIMs, NITs, State and Central Universities all over India: 6th to 13th February, 2010 in collaboration with National Entrepreneurship Network.

2010 saw the first celebration of Entrepreneurship Week in BITM. The week long celebration was inaugurated by Prof. C.T. Bhuina, Director, BITM (2008-2011). Prof. S. Dey, Dean, Academic and Dr. Manick Chatterjee, Sr. Manager, WBRB also graced the occasion. An interactive quiz competition was organised which was compared by Mr. Arnab Mukherjee, former faculty member, Dept. of Management Science, BITM, Santiniketan. As many as 15 teams participated in the quiz competition. The quiz competition was followed by a competition amongst the students in the area of debate and extempore. 28 students participated in the events. The central theme of debate and extempore was entrepreneurship awareness amongst students of technical colleges. A postering session was also arranged for the students whereby they were asked to express their ideas of entrepreneurship and creativity through sketches and drawings. Dr. Manick Chatterjee, Sr. Manager, West Bengal Rural Bank, Birbhum delivered a seminar on Entrepreneurship and its significance and contribution in national economy. One of the highlighting programmes of the E-week, 2010, was the business stall displayed by the students of hospitality management. The students of hospitality management procured the raw materials and produced food-items in their food-production laboratory under the supervision of Mr. Debashish Pramanick, former faculty member, Dept. of Hospitality Management. The produced food were packaged and displayed for sale by the students of management science. The initiative was a grand success as the customers (students and faculty members) were treated to a delicious treat. The E-Week ended with a tour to one of the most successful entrepreneurial venture in Bolpur: Amar Kutir. Amar Kutir is a SSI situated on the Bolpur-Suri road and famous for its leather authentic products which were produced indigenously at their production unit. The students and the EDC members interacted with the proprietor of the unit and came to know about its formation, growth and expansion. The venture has become such popular for its leather products that they have started exporting them. With the passage of time, Amar Kutir has enriched its product line by introducing apparels, accessories etc. The local artisans and craftsmen were deployed for the production. Amar Kutir is an ideal example of a successful entrepreneurship which has created job opportunities for the local people and ensured socio-economic development of the same.

First ever Entrepreneurship Week at BITM, Santiniketan.

Dr. Manick Chatterjee, Sr. Manager, WBRB, delivering a seminar talk

Quiz competition on Entrepreneurship

Debate and Extempore competition

Students of Hospitality Management in their Food-production lab: Preparing for the product launch

Finished and packaged products for sale

Customers flock around stalls

Even the Director could not resist himself!!

EDC faculty members in the event

Postering session

Students attending E-Week

Production hub at Amar Kutir

Shop display in Amar kutir

 Organised a One-day E-Leader workshop for the students on 21-03-2010 in collaboration with Bengal College of Engineering and Technology, Durgapur at BITM, Santiniketan. The objective of the E-leader workshop was to enlighten the students to take up leadership role in motivating students to come out with innovative and creative ideas and convert those into commercial activities. The students of BITM, representing various streams, participated in the workshop alongwith the faculty members of EDC, BITM.A couple of student E-leaders from Bengal College of Engineering and technology, Durgapur participated in the workshop. They delivered a presentation on the responsibilities and activities of an E-leader. The programme also witnessed a business project being presented by Mr. Abinash Prasad of MBA on Microfinance. He presented a full scheme on microfinance and discussed various aspects to convert the scheme into real business application. The workshop was also attended by Prof. C.T. Bhunia, Director, BITM (20082011), Prof. P.P. Ray, Dean, Academic and Mr. Subhabrata Bhattacharya, Consultant, NEN. The guest E-leaders had a productive interactive session with our E-leaders and a new collaborative forum was created. A number of work-resolutions were taken namely collaborative student activities promoting entrepreneurship, focusing on CAMPUS COMPANY concept, spreading the awareness level of entrepreneurship and connecting with the local entrepreneurial community. In addition to these the students not only accepted the requirement and significance of participating in various workshops but also acknowledged that implementation of the workshop-resolution at the institute level as equally important.

Mr. Abinash Prasad, student of MBA (2008-2010), presenting his business project on Microfinance.

E-leaders from Bengal College of Engineering & Technology, Durgapur

Students interacting with E-leaders

Mr. Subhabrata Bhattacharya, NEN Consultant interacting with students

Students in the E-leader workshop Organised a One-day Faculty orientation programme on 21-03-2010 in collaboration with National Entrepreneurship Network, at BITM, Santiniketan. The faculty orientation programme was conducted by Mr. Subhabrata Bhattacharya, Consultant, National Entrepreneurship Network. The orientation programme was targeted to enlighten the members of the faculty about the process in which the entrepreneurship

programmes are to be implemented at the student level. The session was interactive in nature.

Faculty orientation programme

Organised a Two-day workshop in collaboration with BNCCI and EDI [govt. of West Bengal], on Entrepreneurship Development on 23rd and 24th August, 2010 a part of the DST/NIMAT project. No. of student participated: 47, No. of Faculty member participated: 05. The workshop was in the second in the series of workshops in association with EDI and BNCCI. The workshop had added value as it was a part of a project initiated by Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India and National Implementing and Monitoring Agency for Training (NIMAT) of EDII, Ahmedabad. The objectives of this workshop were to initiate awareness about entrepreneurship amongst students and faculty

members and to explore initiation of technology-based entrepreneurship development programme. The programme was inaugurated by Mr. Subir Roy, Coordinator of Enterprise Development Institute. Several seminar lectures were delivered in related and allied issues. The representative of DIC, Birbhum, Mr. Manikanchan Mukherjee elaborated the role taken up at the district level to encourage and assist aspiring new entrepreneurs. He also informed the students of BITM that DIC will render all possible assistance in case they come out with a viable and sustainable business project. The workshop was also addressed by Dr. Manick Chatterjee of West Bengal Rural Bank and he informed the audience how the rural banks in West Bengal is supporting the rural entrepreneurs. He urged the students to come out with innovative practices that may help the rural entrepreneurs in their business venture. The workshop was also addressed by Mr. Ganesh Chandra Chattopadhyay and Mr. Arnab Mukherjee. They pointed out to the essence of

entrepreneurship and how students can contribute in their own way towards building up a venture capital. The workshop also had a competition amongst the participating students whereby the students were allowed to deliver instant speeches about their own concept of entrepreneurship and how they can be a part of a broader movement driving towards a productive social capital. The workshop ended on 24th August with a students tour to an entrepreneurial venture at SNAHF, Panchshowa, Birbhum. The participating students and faculty members were provided with certificates of participation on behalf of EDI.

EAC by EDI on 23rd and 24th August, 2010: Address by Mr. Subir Roy

Mr. Ganesh Chandra Chattopadhyay delivering seminar lecture on Entrepreneurship in Change Management

Mr. Arnab Mukherjee delivering seminar lecture on Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Mr. Manikanchan Mukherjee, representative of DIC, Birbhum, speaking in the event

Dr. Manick Chatterjee delivering his seminar Lecture

Students involved in brainstorming session.

Student team delivering Instant Speech based on brainstorming

Student team delivering Instant Speech based on brainstorming

A part of the audience

The winners were awarded

 Entrepreneurial and Eco-Industrial tour to Green Forest SNAHF for the students on 30th August, 2010 On the final day of the workshop in association with EDI, Govt. of West Bengal, an entrepreneurial & eco-industrial tour for the students was arranged at SNAHF, Panchshowa, Birbhum. The entrepreneurial brain behind the project was Mr. Abdus Selim was contacted by Mr. Subir Roy, Coordinator, EDI and he readily accepted the proposal of students tour to his place. Mr. Biswanath Chakroborty, Manager -Project, explained the detail project of SNAHF to the students its inception and expansion. The project was initially taken up to promote eco-tourism and in due course of time other dimensions were added namely plantation of medicinal & ornamental plants, landscaping etc. The students got a glimpse of a real entrepreneur and comprehensively understood the attitude that is required to undertake ventures. The students were instructed to submit a report on their tour which they did and made a presentation also.

Students at SNAHF Project in the year 2010 Entrepreneurial & Eco-Industrial tour

Students at SNAHF Project in the year 2010 Interacting with the entrepreneur Second volume of entrepreneurial newsletter novus launched on 5th September, 2010. Mr. Arnab Mukherjee and Ms. Barna Haldar were sponsored to attend a 2-week workshop on Entrepreneurship organised by BNCCI and EDI in November, 2010 NEN recognised BITM as Advanced Institute in the area of Entrepreneurial Education Spread in 2010-2011. Five students of BITM, Santiniketan namely Aakash Kumar, Dipak Pradhan, Nitish Bharadwaj, Prabhav Kumar and Rana Vikram Singh received the International Certification of E-Leaders on behalf of Wadhwani Foundation, Palo Alto, USA in 20102011. Observed the second Entrepreneurship Week alongwith thousands of institutes like the IITs, IIMs, NITs, State and Central Universities all over India: 5th to 12th February, 2011 in collaboration with National Entrepreneurship Network. Entrepreneurship week, for the 2nd successive year, was organized by the EDC of BITM with an objective to widen the vision of the students towards entrepreneurship as a career option. The week long celebration was inaugurated by Prof. C.T. Bhuina, Director, BITM (2008-2011). Dr. Manick Chatterjee, Sr. Manager, WBRB also graced the occasion. Interactive quiz competition was organised which was compared by Mr. Arnab Mukherjee,

former faculty member, Dept. of Management Science, BITM, Santiniketan. As many as 22 teams participated in the quiz competition. The quiz competition was followed by a competition amongst the students in the area of debate and extempore. 45 students participated in the events. The members of the faculty namely Mr. Ganesh Chandra Chattopadhyay, Mr. Arnab Mukherjee, Professor Jiban Chakroborty, Ms. Swati Mukherjee and Ms. Barna Haldar participated as judges for the various competitive events. The central theme of debate and extempore was Significance of entrepreneurship in student life. A postering session was also arranged for the students whereby they were asked to express their ideas of entrepreneurship and creativity through sketches and drawings. Dr. Manick Chatterjee, Sr. Manager, West Bengal Rural Bank, Birbhum delivered a seminar on Entrepreneurship and its significance and contribution in national economy. The Eweek introduced the concept of CAMPUS COMPANY whereby the students were encouraged to display their own little venture inside the college campus. The students, under mentorship of faculty members of EDC, BITM, displayed a number of stalls selling products that were manufactured/ produced by them. Incidentally the students had an interactive session with the NAAC team members of UGC, who were inspecting our college during the period for accreditation, and they were pretty much impressed with the show.

2nd E-Week in BITM

Students session in the 2nd E-week at BITM

Students participating in Quiz contest in 2nd E-Week, 2011

Students participating in Debate contest in 2nd E-Week, 2011

Students participating in Extempore contest in 2nd E-week, 2011

Campus Company on display in the 2nd E-week, 2011

Campus Company on display in the 2nd E-week, 2011

Campus Company on display in the 2nd E-week, 2011

Campus Company on display in the 2nd E-week, 2011

Student Entrepreneurs in 2nd E-Week, 2011

Satisfying customers

Student entrepreneurs interacting with the NAAC team from UGC

Even the NAAC member, Prof. Sahashrabuddhe, colud not resist himself

Teamwork leads to success

Proud customer

Third volume of entrepreneurial newsletter novus launched on July, 2011. Received Grant-in-aid under Entrepreneurship Development Cell (EDC) Scheme for the financial year 2011-2012 from AICTE (F.No. RIFD/EDC(2)/2011-12, dated: 3011-2012). Duration of the project: 2 years. Total grant amount: Rs. 7,80,000.00 Observed the third Entrepreneurship Week alongwith thousands of institutes like the IITs, IIMs, NITs, State and Central Universities all over India: 11th to 17th February, 2012 in collaboration with National Entrepreneurship Network. The week long programme started with the formal inauguration by Prof. P.P. Ray on 11 th February. The inaugural programme featured a movie screening by National Entrepreneurship Network on Entrepreneurship essence followed by the pledge-taking ceremony. From 12th to 17th February a number of students competitive events were held namely essay competition, postering competition, debate & extempore competition. One of the main attractions of the programme was display of student business stalls in the campus. The basic objective to encourage students to display business stalls was to expose them to the fundamental requirements towards initiation of business. The central theme of the E-

week was Inventing for the future. The spontaneous participation of the students, the E leaders and members of the faculty & technical staff made the programme a grand success.

Preparation for E-Week 2012

Postering Competition in E-Week, 2012

Inauguration of E-Week, 2012

Student debate and extempore competition in E-Week, 2012

Student business stall display in E-Week, 2012

Display of Student Business Stall

Display of Student Business Stall

A student speaker

Organised a Three-day workshop in collaboration with BNCCI and EDI (govt. of West Bengal], on Entrepreneurship Development on 13th to 15th February, 2012 a part of the DST/NIMAT project (2011-12), Govt. of India. This is the third in the series of workshops in association with Enterprise Development Institute, Govt. of West Bengal, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, Ahmedabad and under the aegis of National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB), Govt. of India. The inauguration of the workshop was done by Prof. (Dr.) P.P. Ray, Director, BITM. The inaugural session was addressed by Mr. Sandip Sen, Vice-Chairman, Enterprise Development Institute & former President, Bengal National Chamber of Commerce and Mr. Santanu Banerjee, former Assistant General Manager, SBI, & Head, SBI Learning Centre, State Bank of India. Mr. Sandip Sen and Mr. Santanu Banerjee also delivered lectures in the business session held on 13 th February, 2012. Mr. Subir Roy, Coordinator of EDI delivered his lecture on Business Enterprise and Entrepreneurship on 14th February. The highlighting feature of the workshop was seminars delivered by Mr. Abdus Salim of SNAHF and Mr. Abhisek Agarwal, both entrepreneurs. They shared their experiences with the students and answered to their queries on various aspects of initiation, funding, marketing and sustenance of new ventures. On 15th February, 2012 a plant visit was organised. In the afternoon of the same day the valedictory session was organised where the vote of thanks was offered by Dr. Arup Kumar Baksi and the certificates were distributed to the registered students and

faculty members of the workshop. The total number of students and faculty members that participated in the workshop is 113 and 08 respectively.

Inaugural speech by Mr. Subir Roy, Coordinator, EDI, Govt. of West Bengal

Prof. P.P. Ray delivering speech in the inaugural session of the workshop

Lecture Seminar by Mr. Santanu Banerjee, former AGM, SBI & Head, SBI Learning Centre

Mr. Subhabrata Bhattacharya, Consultant-NEN, delivering Lecture Seminar in the workshop

Mr. Santanu Banerjee, former AGM, SBI & Head, SBI Learning Centre, interacting with the students in the workshop

Mr. Abdus Salim of SNAHF delivering lecture seminar in the workshop.

 Organised Industrial Tour for the students to (i) SANHIT Polymer (an ISO 9000:2001 certified industry) located at Bolpur and (ii) to Green Forest SNAHF for the students on 15th February, 2012. The objective of organizing such industrial tour is to expose the students to the initiatives taken up by the entrepreneurs on a small scale, to start with, and then make it big. The students got an opportunity to talk with the entrepreneurs of both the ventures who shared their experiences of their growth, expansion and success. SANHIT polymer, an ISO certified company located at Bolpur, is one of the leading manufacturers and installer of wide width LDPE (Grade 030, Heavy Duty High Impact as per IS 2508:1984 with up-todate amendment) /LLDPE/HDPE Geomembrane and sheets (Liner), Mulching film, Shrink film, Green House film, UV-stabilized film, Cap-cover etc. The production unit has the most sophisticated equipments with a total production capacity of 16,000 metric tons per year. The students visited the production unit and they were guided by the representative of the Birbhum DIC and plant production manager. The students were delighted to see the sophisticated equipments and the fully automated set-up in the production floor. The students also came to know about the market of the finished products and the demand of such type of products.

The tour to SANHIT polymer was followed by a tour to SNAHF at Panchshowa Birbhum. Mr. Abdus Selim is the proprietor and entrepreneur behind this venture. The firm focuses on landscaping and exotic plantation. The ADEMIUM of this firm has been registered in the Guinness Book of World Record as the biggest exposed rooted ADENIUM in the world. The students listened to the history of this venture from Mr. Salim and its gradual expansion. The students were informed that the Ramoji Film City situated in Hyderabad is also a venture of SNAHF. Mr. Selim also shared information about the hybridization of the seeds of medicinal and exotic plantations and the price of the same in the domestic and overseas market. The students also paid a visit to the green houses and saw the plantation of the medicinal plants. The EDC, BITM, Santiniketan and EDI, Govt. of West Bengal jointly arranged refreshments for the students and faculty members on tour. Both the tours were guided by the faculty members of the EDC of BITM, Santiniketan and Mr. Subir Roy of EDI, Govt. of West Bengal.

Students at SANHIT polymer, Bolpur

Students at the production unit of SANHIT Polymer

Students observing the production process in SANHIT Polymer

Production at full swing in SANHIT Polymer

Refreshing after a day-long tour---Students at SNAHF, Panchshowa, Birbhum

Students listening to Mr. Abdus Selim, the Entrepreneur, at SNAHF Solo Seminar by Prof. Janardan Ghosh: Contemporariness of Swami Vivekananda in the light of Karmayog on 16th February, 2012 at the Seminar Hall, BITM, Santiniketan.

Prof. Janardan Ghosh of Vivekananda University delivered an exhilarating and enchanting talk on the Karmayog of Swami Vivekananda and he linked with Swami Vivekanandas philosophy with innovation and initiatives of entrepreneurs. The programme was also addressed by Shri. Bishwanath Chkroborty, Bibhag Pradhan, Vivekananda Kendra who pointed out to the relevance and contemporariness of Swami Vivekananda in modern time. The programme was also attended by Dr. Manick Chatterjee, Sr. Manager, WBRB, who introduced the main speakers. The faculty members and staff members of BITM and the students of the same were delighted to listen from Prof. Janardan Ghosh. This initiative taken up by EDC was to mark the 150 years of birth-anniversary celebration of Swami Vivekananda throughout the country.

Prof. Janardan Ghosh of Vivekananda University delivering seminar talk

Prof. Janardan Ghosh of Vivekananda University delivering seminar talk

Shri. Biswanath Chkroborty, Bibhag Pradhan, Vivekananda Kendra, delivering talk

Audience listening to Prof. Janardan Ghosh

Mr. Soumen Bhowmik, an active member of EDC, BITM has received a formal invitation from National Entrepreneurship Network to participate in the programme FROM PROTOTYPE TO COMMERCIALIZATION in Mumbai. Mr. Bhowmiks innovative idea has received wide attention amongst the budding entrepreneurs.

Entered into a paid membership of National Entrepreneurship Network (NEN) (Rs. 28,090/-) and signed a new Memorandum of Understanding on 17-04-2012. One of the first institutes under the West Bengal University of Technology to avail the paid membership of National Entrepreneurship Network. The objective to avail the membership of NEN is to collaborate with such a statutory body which will assist in organizing events specific to the cause and help BITM accomplish both short term and long term goals in entrepreneurship education. In addition to this the expertise knowledge of NEN and rich

resources of the same will be shared in a synergistic manner. Further to this, NEN is working in close collaboration with NSTEDB and DST, thereby can guide the EDC of BITM to prepare viable projects that will fetch fund support from these two organisations.

Signed Paid Membership of National Entrepreneurship Network

 Launched a website : http://bitmecell.net23.net/1_6_EDC-Team.html by the student members of EDC, BITM, exclusively dedicated to EDC related activities of BITM, Santiniketan. The site is going through updation of facts, pictures etc. The website was launched by the E-leaders of EDC of BITM Santiniketan. The focal objective to launch the website is to showcase the events and programmes organised by the EDC of BITM and present it in a single window. The website also hosts the list of key personnel in the EDC of BITM. The site provides the opportunity of online registration to the students to become members of the E-Cell of BITM, Santiniketan. The website has a news corner where all the forthcoming events are being posted. The website has been linked to a social networking site, facebook, where a EDC community was created to share all the happening events in BITM.

The newly launched EDC website in BITM. Twelve students of BITM, Santiniketan representing the EDC, BITM attended the Eleaders workshop on 11th and 12th August, 2012 sponsored by National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB), Dept. of Science &

Technology, Govt. of India at Bengal College of Engineering and Technology, Durgapur. The students are Akansha (CSE), Balakrishna Thakur (ECE), Karan Narayan (CSE), Dinkar Pratap Singh (CSE), Shashi Kant (ME), Mukesh Kumar (EE), Md. Kamran Dansih (AEIE), Amit Kumar Pandey (AEIE), Santosh Kumar Singh (ME), Neha Rani (ME), Priyanka Kumari (CSE) and Sanchita Chatterjee (CSE). The students received their first lesson of becoming E-leaders and implement various programmes featuring

entrepreneurship at the institute level. The students were also informed about the various funding schemes of DST, NSTEDB, AICTE etc. to run angel ventures. The students were certified by National Entrepreneurship Network.

Students received certificates to participate in E-leader workshop Five EDC members (faculty cadre) namely Dr. Arup Kumar Baksi, Shri Gurucharan Banerjee, Shri Debaprasad Sinha and Shri. Uddalok Chatterjee attended the Faculty Orientation Programme on 17th July, 2012 at Dr. B.C. Roy Engineering College, Durgapur

under the sponsorship of National Entrepreneurship Network. Five E-leaders were sponsored by EDC, BITM, Santiniketan to participate in the TATA First Dot Workshop powered by National Entrepreneurship Network at Institute of Engineering & Management, Salt Lake, Kolkata, on 3rd November, 2012. The E-leaders were exposed to various collaborative initiatives that has to be taken up by the E-leaders at the institute level. The E-leaders of BITM received the participating certificate issued to them by National Entrepreneurship Network.

Certification received by the E-leaders in TATA First Dot Workshop Inauguration of the Entrepreneurship Development Cell (EDC) office (sponsored by AICTE) at BITM on 28-01-2013 The exclusive office of EDC has been set up under the project funded by All India Council

for Technical Education. The first phase of the sanctioned fund has been utilized towards purchasing fixed assets for the cell namely computers and peripherals, softwares, electrical gadgets, audiovisual equipments and teaching aids. A room on the 1st floor of the institutes administrative building has identified to set up the EDC and finally on 28 th January, 2013, the Director, BITM, formally inaugurated the EDC office of BITM in presence of faculty members, students and other staff members of BITM. The office will be used for arranging programmes and disseminating information to the students, teachers and staff regarding various activities that are to be taken up by EDC.

Inauguration of EDC office at BITM.

Glimpse of the EDC office at BITM.

Faculty and student gathering in the inauguration of EDC office at BITM in presence of Director and Dean, Academic

Display of snap-shots about various programmes organised by EDC, BITM over time

Inside EDCs office Organized the First Student Mentoring session with Ms. Joyeeta Mukherjee of DPS, Durgapur, who is an expert of Entrepreneurial activities. The E-leaders of the EDC

participated in the mentoring session. Ms. Mukherjee informed the students about the approach required to carry out the activities of EDC. She also interacted with the faculty members of EDC and informed the essence of documentation, blogging and pictureposting to make an impression in the Entrepreneurship Week conducted by NEN. The EDC members also had a detail discussion with her regarding the submission of utilization certificate and annual report against the AICTE fund received for setting up EDC at BITM, to AICTE, New Delhi.

Students Mentoring session with Ms. Joyeeta Mukherjee

Students Mentoring session with Ms. Joyeeta Mukherjee

 Organized the First Faculty Awareness Programme on 5th February, 2013 The student members of EDC, BITM placed a proposal to the EDC about hosting a Faculty Awareness Programme whereby they intend to present before the members of the faculty the objectives of setting up EDC at BITM, the essence of entrepreneurship in a studen ts life, the supportive role of National Entrepreneurship Network and the achievements and activities of EDC of BITM till date. The entire program was designed, promoted and organised by the student members of EDC, BITM. The programme started with screening of some short movies produced by NEN and compiled by the students. Mr. Dinkar Pratap, a budding E-leader made a presentation about the significance of entrepreneurship, its implications in educational institutes and activities of EDC, BITM. The programme was attended by the members of the faculty, technical staff and students. The programme ended with vote of thanks by the Coordinator, EDC.

Student members of EDC busy in the preparation of Faculty Awareness Programme

Faculty Awareness Programme

Sr. Professors attending the Faculty awareness programme

Mr. Dinkar Pratap delivering the presentation on Entrepreneurship at the Faculty Awareness Programme.

Faculty awareness programme ended with Vote of thanks by the Coordinator, EDC

 As a part of adopting and promoting technological innovation BITM, the students of BITM, Santiniketan has formed a robotics club ROBOINFO. Formed under the aegis of R&D Cell of BITM, Santiniketan the ROBOINFO proudly participated in EDC organised programmes and displayed their innovations in the form of prototypes.

Prototypes displayed

Students displaying their creation

Demonstration job

5. Forthcoming activities of Entrepreneurship Development Cell, BITM, Santiniketan in 2013 (till March, 2013)
Entrepreneurship Week: 9th to 15th February, 2013: The annual event which ensures an interface between aspiring student entrepreneurs, facilitating agencies, successful entrepreneurs and EDC. The week long programme includes, rally (walkathon) by the students to spread the message of entrepreneurship culture in the local community and highlight the activities of EDC at BITM, Santiniketan, several competitions at the student level featuring the central theme of E-Week-2013 : Innovating for India, seminars by entrepreneurs, seminar lecture by personnel from banking industry namely West Bengal Rural Bank and NABARD, prototype and model display by the students, rural entrepreneurship programmes, web-designing and debugging contests, Bazaar-on-campus etc. Workshop in collaboration with Enterprise Development Institute, Govt. of West Bengal, February, 2013 (dates to be finalized). The EDI has approached the EDC of BITM, Santiniketan to organise the 4th version of the collaborative workshop which will focus on Inculcation of Entrepreneurship Culture on Campus and Networking with Facilitating Agencies. A number of delegates from the industry, BNCCI, banks and academia are likely to participate as usual. The workshop will traditionally end with a visit to a near-by entrepreneurial venture.

First ever EDP in collaboration with and fully sponsored and certified by Webcon Consulting (India) Ltd, (formerly West Bengal Consultancy Organisation Ltd.). Total duration of the EDP will be 15 days. Target participants: Unemployed youths, start-up venturers, interested students. Max seat to be offered: 25. The EDP is co-sponsored by National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB), Dept. of Science & Technology, Govt. of India. Dates to be finalized. Workshop (TECHUNT 2013) in association with Computer Society of India and Nurture Talent Academy for identifying the Student Entrepreneur of the Year. Launching of 4th volume of novus: The 4th volume of in-house newsletter of EDC, BITM, Santiniketan, will be launched. It will be a special issue and will largely focus on the Entrepreneurship week-2013, the establishment of EDC office (under financial assistance of AICTE, New Delhi) and the activities of EDC, BITM, Santiniketan.

Published by:

Entrepreneurship Development Cell

Bengal Institute of Technology & Management, Santiniketan
Compiled and edited by Dr. Arup Kumar Baksi Coordinator, Entrepreneurship Development Cell, BITM, Santiniketan. Visit our website: www.bitmecell.net23.net/1_6_EDC-Team.html www.bitm.org.in/Enterprenerrship%20Cell.aspx