Engineering colleges, affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belgaum, are advised to follow best practices especially in incubating startup culture like renowned institutions like IIMs do.
Prof Karisiddappa, vice chancellor of VTU, has given a piece of advise to principals of engineering colleges affiliated to the university recently and also asked them to provide better resources and needful information to students and even help with necessary funds for eligible initiatives.
Colleges have also been asked to conduct monthly meetings with student startups and submit a report to the varsity. It is mandatory for all affiliated engineering colleges to initiate these measures.
VTU is one of the largest technological Universities in India with 19 years of Tradition of excellence in Engineering and Technical Education, Research and Innovations. It came into existence in 1998 to cater the needs of Indian industries for trained technical manpower with practical experience and sound theoretical knowledge.
The University has very successfully achieved the tremendous task of bringing various colleges affiliated earlier to different Universities, with different syllabi, different procedures and different traditions under one umbrella. The university having 202 affiliated colleges, 1 constituent college and 17 Autonomous colleges with undergraduate courses in 35 disciplines, PG programme in 94 disciplines and Ph.D and M.Sc (Engg.) with research programmes in 592 departments, over 4 lakhs Engineering students study in the various institutes affiliated to the University.
On infrastructure, Prof Karisiddappa suggested e-lounges with comfortable seating for students, computer or laptop facilities and high speed Wi-Fi. This space will not be limited to students of that particular college in which it is built. Students from different colleges should be encouraged to brainstorm in these e-lounges.
However, apart from funding, even proving required infrastructure and teaching guides to nurture young startups will require hefty investment from colleges.
“It is the responsibility of colleges to provide the necessary infrastructure and financial assistance so that startups in colleges work like a mini-industry,” the VC said.
The VTU has also signed MoUs with international institutions such as Bosch Rexroth AG-Germany, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of California, T&R Consulting Pvt Ltd. Australia and corporate houses such as Autodesk, Deshpande Foundation-Startup Center, India Electronics and semiconductor Association, IBM India Ltd, Bengaluru, Intel Asia. Bengaluru, Ingersoll-Rand (India) Ltd. Bengaluru, ISRO, United Telecoms Ltd, Bengaluru, Infosys, Honeywell, Wipro, RGUHS, Air force test pilot School, Karnataka State Bio Fuel Development Board, Karnataka State Pollution Board, Construction Industry Development Council. New Delhi, International Institute of Industrial Safety Management College.