Bhubaneswar: The Institute of Business and Computer Studies (IBCS), the faculty of management sciences at SOA Deemed to be University, successfully concluded a two-day Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP) on Saturday. The initiative aimed at fostering a robust culture of entrepreneurship among aspiring business leaders in the region.
The program’s inauguration saw the esteemed presence of Dr. Manisha Acharya, Start-up Advisor, Mentor, and British Chevening Fellow at the University of Oxford. Dr. Acharya underscored the critical role of entrepreneurship in driving economic growth and creating vital employment opportunities.
Joining her for the inaugural address were a distinguished panel of speakers, including Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda, Vice-Chancellor, SOA; Prof. Asima Pradhan, Founder Director, PhotoSplMeDx and former Professor at IIT Kanpur; Prof. Ayasa Kanta Mohanty, Dean, IBCS; Prof. Jyoti Ranjan Das, Dean (Students’ Welfare); and Prof. Manoranjan Dash, Associate Dean, IBCS.
Throughout the program, key themes emerged from the addresses: Prof. Pradhan highlighted the supportive government policies and schemes for fostering entrepreneurship, while Prof. Nanda emphasized the perpetual nature of learning in a competitive world, urging participants to continuously sharpen their skills. Prof. Mohanty stressed the importance of discipline and life skills for both personal and professional triumph, and Prof. Das elaborated on the “three essential elements” for success: discipline, dedication, and determination.
The EDP facilitated highly interactive sessions with seasoned entrepreneurs and industry experts. Participants benefited from the insights of Purabee Mishra, COO, Electropreneur, STPI, Bhubaneswar, and Himansu Sekhar Panda, Managing Director and CEO, Skky Skill Academy.
Specialized training sessions were a core component of the program. Sourabh Khandelwal, Managing Director and CEO of Dahibara Express, Bhubaneswar, provided crucial guidance on funding options and navigated the legal and regulatory complexities of launching a business.
Kalpana Sahoo, Associate Professor, SHRM, XIM University, led sessions on effective team building and management, while Gaurav Agrawal, Designated Partner and Founder, Nezler Technologies LLP and Head Marketing at Wozku, delved into the intricacies of marketing and branding.
The two-day program culminated in a valedictory ceremony graced by Subrat Dash, CEO, Pipul Hotels and Resorts, Bhubaneswar; Sitansu Mishra, Chairman, The Shine Group; and Prof. Bibhuti Bhushan Pradhan, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Registrar, SOA.
The Entrepreneurship Development Program was meticulously coordinated by Dr. Soumya Mishra and Dr. Ashish Mohanty, providing aspiring entrepreneurs with invaluable skills and knowledge to navigate the dynamic business landscape.