Media Release
Mangaluru, Feb 20: Research and Innovation Cell in association with Entrepreneurship and Consultancy cell of St Aloysius College (Autonomous), jointly organised three-day Impetus, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Day, from February 13-15. The programme was inaugurated on February 13. Dr Smitha Hegde, professor, Nitte University Centre for Science, Education and Research, Derlekatte, Mangaluru, was the chief guest and keynote speaker. Fr Dr Praveen Martis SJ, principal, presided over the programme. About 430 students participated in the programme. Dr Suresh Poojary, dean, Research and Innovation welcomed the gathering. Dr Smitha Hegde spoke about how innovation was different from invention. She spoke about the different types of innovations with interesting and humours examples. She explained about the procedure for filing a patent.
Fr Dr Praveen Martis SJ, principal spoke on the innovative mind and the way innovative ideas must be used for start-up. Fr Praveen motivated the students to think beyond the box and venture into entrepreneurship. He said college would provide seed money for the best startup projects to complete those projects. Dr Alwyn D’Sa, registrar, spoke on the occasion and encouraged students to take up entrepreneurship.
Panel discussion was conducted on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, notable entrepreneurs, Vishwas Shishir, chairman Startup Committee, KCCI, Mangaluru, Preethi Nayak, partner, Jyothi Cycle and Fitness Founder Health Bricks, Mangaluru and Mithun Bhat Kakunje, entrepreneur, Mangaluru, participated in the panel discussion. Panel discussion was moderated by Manoj Fernandes. Start-up opportunities, start-up funding and various other issues relating to entrepreneurship were discussed. Students and panel members’ interaction with questions and answers were held.
Dr Denis Fernandes, director of Arrupe Block, Dr Mamatha, Dean of Entrepreneurship and Consultancy Cell, Dr Caroleena Jenefar, staff coordinator and student co-ordinator Junaid Jushiddi were present on the occasion.
Impetus Day 2: The Start-up Expo began at 10 am on February 14 at Mother Teresa Peace Park of the campus. The expo was formally inaugurated by cutting the ribbon by two eminent guests invited to share their industry experience. 35 student start-ups put up their stalls and sold their products along with local producers of Jaalasanthe members. Principal Dr Praveen Martis SJ, presided over the programme, Dr Suresh Poojary, dean, Research and Innovation Cell welcomed the gathering, The chief guest Deekshith Rai, founder of CodeCraft technologies, brought out his distinct experience in collaborating, providing corporate services and consultancy to top businesses around the globe. In his message to the crowd, he reiterated the beliefs in endless possibilities, the need to hustle and have an appetite for stress, to stay relevant at all times and to constantly push one's limits. The guest of honour Jeevan Saldanha, founder of Spectrum industries, Mangaluru, with nearly 30 decades of wisdom recollected some valuable lessons on starting his own business in the 90s. He said passion and persistence of a person will determine the success of entrepreneurship.The principal asked everyone to stay abreast with present knowledge and to be adaptive. The formal function was concluded by the vote of thanks proposed by Dr Mamatha. Day two of Impetus kick-started when start-ups were opened for business with the sole motive of creating an entrepreneurship ecosystem in the campus. Staff co-ordinator Dr Caroleena Janefer from the dept of Commerce and student co-ordinator Junaid Jushiddi graced the occasion.
Impetus Day 3: IDEATHON and START-UP presentations were held on February 15. 14 teams for IDEATHON and 15 teams for START- UP participated and presented their ideas. Reji, department of Economics coordinated the events. Day three events were concluded with a formal valedictory programme where Dr Richard Gonsalves, director of LCRI Block was the chief guest. He stressed about developing entrepreneurship skills among the students and the importance of patents. The winners of IDEATHON were Veron D Costa and team – first place, .Junaid – second place and Arshal D’ Souza – third place. The winners of START- UP were Kirinjit - first place, Hamdan Hassen – second place and Ayush K A and team – third place. Junaid Jushiddi, student coordinator proposed vote of thanks.