STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu, in collaboration with the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), celebrated the commencement of the Skill to Enterprise Module (STEM) programme at IIM Jammu.
The event witnessed the presence of Dr. Subhransu S. Acharya, CGM, SIDBI, as the Chief Guest, and Rishi Pandey, DGM, SIDBI, as the Guest of Honor. Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, presided over the ceremony.
The inaugural ceremony commenced with the address by, Dr. Muqbil Burhan, Chairperson of The Centre for Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Skill Development (CEISD), IIM Jammu who provided a brief overview of STEM.
He said, “The program unfolds in three meticulously planned phases, commencing with a 14-day comprehensive training initiative encompassing 216 hours of both physical and virtual training. This includes invaluable mentorship from industrial and academic experts. The emphasis lies not merely on discussing solutions but collaboratively discovering them. We eagerly anticipate the emergence of 30 distinguished enterprises as a testament to the program’s efficacy.”
Dr. Subhransu shared: “The STEM programme is a crucial intervention to bridge the gap between skill development and enterprise creation. After hearing all the diverse ideas and witnessing the passion for success in this room of participants, I am confident that this program will be a triumph. Focusing on development in less developed areas is vital, and the contribution of MSMEs is immense as they provide employment to a large number of people. Each of you plays a role in shaping our nation’s development by 2047. From once being called ‘fragile,’ we now stand as one of the world’s top five economies – a significant feat thanks to MSMEs.”
Prof. Sahay shared his views as, “From childhood, we were groomed to seek jobs, not create them. Today, the shift is clear as we’re fostering job providers, not just job seekers. The Skill to Enterprise Programme is a much-needed initiative that will enable our youth to become successful entrepreneurs. It will help them realize their full potential, create job opportunities for themselves and others, and contribute to the economic growth of our nation. The program aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in J&K by providing practical training, mentorship, and access to networks of business professionals. With great ideas and the determination to work hard in the execution of those ideas, success is inevitable.”
He encouraged the youth of J&K to leverage this opportunity and create success stories for other youth to follow.”
Rishi Pandey, DGM, SIDBI, mentioned “SIDBI is delighted to partner with IIM Jammu in launching the STEM programme, an initiative that aligns with our mission to support and promote small-scale industries.”
R.C. Raina, Former employee, SIDBI and a resident of Jammu and Kashmir, stated, “I hope each one of you gives full concentration, devotion and utilizes your time well at this program so that when you come out of this program, you will be well equipped to handle your own enterprises and drive them towards profitable ventures.”
The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Vivek Sharma, Chief Innovation Officer, IIM Jammu.
