Working towards the promotion and development of entrepreneurship in the region, Kaziranga University has signed an Mou with Assam Startup – The Nest (a Government of Assam Initiative) as its first academic partner, to facilitate district level entrepreneurship development through entrepreneurship development centres and incubation cell set up within the University.
This MoU was signed by the Vice Chancellor of Kaziranga University Dr. P.K Mishra and Mr. Pranjal Konwar, COO of Assam Startup, who was represented by Mr. Kongkon Khargharia, the Outreach Coordinator for the program, in the University campus on 29th May 2019, in the presence of Deans and senior faculty members of Kaziranga University.
The Assam Startup initiative was launched by the Assam Government to promote entrepreneurship and the growth of startup culture in the state so as to motivate the youth to become job creators, and providing them the necessary ecosystem support to meet their entrepreneurial dreams. The state incubation centre, 'Assam Startup – The Nest' is conceptualized as the hub for entrepreneurship development which aims to work with the support of the entrepreneurship development centres or incubators located across the state, by partnering with credible universities, institutions and research & development organisations. In this context, Kaziranga University (KU) is the first academic collaborator to get on board with the programme.
Through the MoU, Kaziranga University will leverage its Entrepreneurship Development Cell to conduct programmes and events to promote entrepreneurship among the youth, incubate them and scout sources to connect and building a vibrant network across the state. KU will also conduct outreach programmes and ideation events, and provide support to students with innovative ideas as well as facilitate student interaction with other startups. As a final objective, KU will also make best efforts to support startups from the region with knowledge and access to resources such as incubation facilities, technology labs, business development, etc., so that innovative ideas can be transformed into successful business ventures.
The MoU aims to enable Assam Startup and Kaziranga University to help create a state-wide inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem, promote entrepreneurship, create awareness, and motivate the youth and provide physical and virtual incubation services. The ultimate goals to be reached by such an agreement is to promote the growth of a startup environment in the region through the creation of a 1000 startups in 5 years' time, leading to the creation of 1 lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities.