By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Dehradun, 22 Jan: The Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST) and the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 21 January to collaborate on initiatives aimed at developing Uttarakhand as a vibrant state for science and technology-led grassroots entrepreneurship focusing on bordering districts.
The agreement was signed at EDII, Ahmedabad, by Prof Durgesh Pant, Director General, UCOST, and Dr Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII, after a detailed presentation from both the institutions. Prof Amit Kumar Dwivedi, Prof Satya Acharya, Samir Jain from EDII and Prof Prahlad Adhikari from UCOST were present on this occasion. This partnership seeks to leverage science and technology for socio-economic development by promoting entrepreneurship in schools, colleges, and universities across the state.
Prof Durgesh Pant emphasised the importance of integrating science, technology and innovation with entrepreneurial efforts to address regional challenges and generate employment opportunities in the state. “This collaboration with EDII will enable us to create an ecosystem where aspiring entrepreneurs receive the necessary support to transform their ideas into viable business ventures, which will provide momentum to our efforts in transforming Uttarakhand from Money Order economy into Knowledge Economy ” he said.
Under this MoU, UCOST and EDII will jointly develop and implement entrepreneurship development interventions focusing on biotechnology, agriculture, IoT, digital innovation, pharmaceuticals, and women’s and youth entrepreneurship. EDII will serve as a knowledge partner to UCOST in designing and delivering short-term courses to promote S&T-based entrepreneurship in Uttarakhand.
Dr Sunil Shukla highlighted EDII’s commitment to empowering local entrepreneurs through strategic guidance and capacity-building programs. “By blending science and technology with entrepreneurial acumen, we aim to create sustainable business models that cater to the needs of the region and beyond,” he stated.
The partnership will facilitate innovation fests, youth camps, boot camps, and hackathons, fostering a culture of independent thinking among students and youth especially from vulnerable communities along bordering areas. Additionally, UCOST will support entrepreneurs in filing patents, trademarks, and copyrights, further promoting commercialization of intellectual property.
The MoU also provides for the establishment of a Project Management Unit at UCOST, offering office space and workstations to support joint initiatives. The partnership is expected to bring together academia, industry, and policymakers to create a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in the state.
The Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST) is dedicated to promoting scientific research and technological innovation to address the developmental challenges of the state.
The Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) is a national resource organisation committed to fostering entrepreneurship through education, research, and training programs across various sectors.
