A boost for start-ups

The ICTAT conference in Madurai brings in good news for students interested in entrepreneurship.

Kumar Jayant at the “ICTAT Bridge” - 2013, in Madurai. Photo: S. James

Academicians, government representatives, faculty members from colleges across Tamil Nadu and members of the public participated in the, “ICTAT Bridge 2013 Madurai Edition,” conference on, “Inclusive growth through technology – What’s next is here now,” organised by the ICT Academy of Tamil Nadu on October 23.

The conference was co-hosted by the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Mission and organised in association with NASSCOM and supported by the Department of Information Technology, Tamil Nadu Government and ELCOT.

The day-long conference had two sessions which focused on tapping opportunities in entrepreneurship for sustaining employment during the economic downturn and the importance of technological advancement and the need for educational institutions to adapt to it.

“Fifty entrepreneurship development cells will be set up in colleges across Tamil Nadu identified and selected by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) and ICTAT, ”said M Siva Kumar, CEO of ICTAT and formally released the list of colleges that had been chosen.

In his keynote address, Karumuttu T. Kannan, president, Thiagarajar College, said that it was important for educational institutions to play their part in encouraging entrepreneurial development among students.

“Institutions should come forward and be willing to absorb the risk as well as help give shape to innovative ideas. Budding entrepreneurs can examine local issues and come up with small, but simple innovations for a successful start,” Mr. Kannan said.

Kumar Jayant, Commissioner of Technical Education, Government of Tamil Nadu, said that while technological resources are available, the faculty must be enthusiastic and open to using CDs which innovatively explain course material and smart classes. “Every college must have a well-equipped library and computers with working Internet connectivity. A combination of proper technical and sector knowledge as well as good communication skills plays a major role in ensuring success as an entrepreneur,” Mr. Kumar Jayant said.