Baleswar, July 15:
Fakir Mohan University (FMU), Baleswar, and Swabalambi Odisha on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote entrepreneurship, innovation and startup culture among students by strengthening collaboration between academia and the startup ecosystem.
The MoU was signed by Smt. Kukumina Das, OAS, Registrar, Fakir Mohan University, on behalf of the University, and Mr. Sadashiba Mishra, Chairman, Swabalambi Odisha, on behalf of the organisation. Under the agreement, Swabalambi Odisha will function as an Ecosystem Enabler and Incubation Partner.
The partnership aims to organise startup summits, mentoring programmes, innovation workshops and entrepreneurship development initiatives. It will also facilitate advisory support, legal and financial guidance, branding, networking, institutional collaboration, investor connect, and support for the establishment and management of an incubation centre.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Santosh Kumar Tripathy, Vice-Chancellor, Fakir Mohan University, said the collaboration would significantly benefit students by providing exposure to entrepreneurship, innovation and startup mentoring, enabling them to translate academic ideas into practical ventures.
The MoU seeks to create a strong interface between students, startup founders, industry experts, mentors and investors, thereby fostering an innovation-driven entrepreneurial ecosystem in Odisha.
Smt. Kukumina Das, Registrar, thanked the representatives of Swabalambi Odisha and the University officials for their support in making the collaboration a reality.
The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Prof. Santosh Kumar Tripathy, Vice-Chancellor; Smt. Kukumina Das, Registrar; Prof. Santosh Kumar Agarwalla, Chairman, P.G. Council; Prof. Pankaj Kumar Parhi, Coordinator, TBI; and Mr. Sunendu Nayak, Chief Operating Officer, TBI. Representing Swabalambi Odisha were Mr. Sadashiba Mishra, Chairman; Mr. Jayant Kumar Das; CA Rajesh Kumar Pattanaik; and Mr. Snigdha Swaroop Sahoo.
The collaboration is expected to strengthen the startup ecosystem in Odisha by connecting academic talent with mentorship, professional expertise, incubation support and entrepreneurial opportunities.
——
