Chandigarh, 30 August: The Institution Innovation Council (IIC) of Mehr Chand Mahajan DAV College for Women organised a two-day expert session on ‘Innovation/Prototype Validation- Converting Innovation into a Start-up’. The initiative aimed to provide young participants with hands-on insights into transforming innovative ideas into validated prototypes and sustainable start-ups, while also acquainting them with incubation opportunities, funding avenues, and mentorship support from industry leaders.
The distinguished resource persons for the session were Prof. Indu Pal Kaur, Dean and Professor of Pharmaceutics, UIPS, and DPIIT-IPR Chair Professor, Panjab University; Dr. Vandita Kakkar, Associate Professor, UIPS, Panjab University; and Ms. Shivanshi Vashist, Managing Director, MicroRadical360 Pvt. Ltd., Principal Scientist, Project SEED Fund BIRAC, BioNEST, Panjab University.
Day one commenced with an insightful address by Prof. Indu Pal Kaur, who urged students to think beyond conventional approaches and turn simple ideas into viable ventures. She elaborated on the journey from ideation to execution, the significance of government funding schemes and mentorship, and highlighted the critical role of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in safeguarding innovations. The second session of the day, conducted by Dr. Vandita Kakkar along with her research scholars, featured an interactive workshop. Students were divided into teams and tasked with identifying on-campus problem areas and proposing innovative solutions. The activity enhanced creativity, teamwork, and communication while underlining the power of collaborative innovation in addressing real-world challenges. Day two featured an enriching session by Ms. Shivanshi Vashist, who spoke extensively on entrepreneurial development. She guided participants on identifying promising ideas at an early stage, navigating risks and challenges in entrepreneurship, and understanding the step-by-step process of building a venture. The event saw enthusiastic participation from 56 students, who actively engaged in discussions and activities, making the expert session a resounding success.
Officiating Principal Ms. Neena Sharma commended the initiative, stating that such platforms not only nurture innovative thinking but also empower students with the confidence and skills required to transform their ideas into impactful entrepreneurial ventures.