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Indian Express
4 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
IIT Madras launches new School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship to build global deep-tech start-up ecosystem
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has launched a new School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship to build a 'world-class ecosystem' to establish deep-tech start-ups. The new school aims to institutionalise the institute's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem and position IIT Madras among the leading entrepreneurial universities worldwide, an official statement issued in this regard said. The School was officially inaugurated on August 4, 2025, by IIT Madras Director Prof. V. Kamakoti, in the presence of faculty, students, startup founders, alumni, and industry leaders. The founding head of the School is Prof. Prabhu Rajagopal, a Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awardee and faculty member from the Department of Mechanical Engineering. A seasoned academic entrepreneur, Prof. Rajagopal has played a key role in nurturing student innovation through the Centre for Innovation (CFI) and the pre-incubator Nirmaan. Currently home to the country's largest deep-tech startup ecosystem, IIT Madras has incubated over 475 startups valued at more than Rs 50,000 crore (around USD 6 billion). These ventures have collectively created over 11,000 jobs, filed more than 700 patents, and attracted over Rs 12,000 crore in funding. With the launch of this new School, IIT Madras seeks to scale up this momentum by providing structured academic and financial support to aspiring entrepreneurs. The School will offer a range of academic programs including a Minor in Entrepreneurship, an MS in Entrepreneurship, a PhD programme, and industry-focused degrees such as an Innovation Doctorate. A unique 'Entrepreneur-in-Residence' (EIR) initiative will also support returning professionals who wish to build start-ups. The School plans to create dedicated funding mechanisms for early-stage and scale-up support, and will run regular Intellectual Property (IP) clinics to help convert student innovations into IP-protected products. Highlighting the vision behind this initiative, Prof. Kamakoti said, 'As we progress after having achieved 1.2 patents a day and exceeded 100 startups in the last financial year, it is time to institutionalize our Innovation and Entrepreneurship efforts. This School is going to be another USP of IIT Madras.' He also noted the enthusiasm among alumni to support these efforts through the IITM Alumni Fund, which has already secured near-complete commitments towards its Rs 200 crore target for startup investment. Dean of Alumni and Corporate Relations, Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam, emphasised that the School will unify the various elements of IIT Madras' entrepreneurial landscape—from evangelization and curricular support to pre-incubation and incubation—into a coherent pipeline that can help ideas evolve from classrooms to IPOs. The School will function under the larger umbrella of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, headed by Prof. Anbarasu Manivannan, who described it as a step not just for India, but for the world. He said the parent school would facilitate the academic integration and support necessary for this ambitious initiative. The School builds upon several ongoing initiatives at IIT Madras. The Centre for Innovation (CFI), one of India's largest student-run maker spaces; the Nirmaan pre-incubator, which has supported startups like GalaxEye Space; and forums such as the Tech-Soc and Entrepreneurship Cell have all contributed to cultivating a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship on campus. Additional support comes from the Gopalakrishnan Deshpande Centre (GDC), which trains researchers in entrepreneurial thinking, and the RuTAG Cell, which focuses on rural and social innovations.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Who is Srijani? The girl who scored perfect marks in the CISCE ISC exam and chose humanity over labels
In a world where identity is often framed by surnames, caste, and religion, a 17-year-old girl from Kolkata is making headlines for redefining what it means to be truly educated — not just in marks, but in values. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Topper with a Difference Srijani, a student of The Future Foundation School in Kolkata, scored a perfect 100% in her ISC Class XII examinations — a rare feat in itself. But it's not just her academic brilliance that's drawing admiration. Srijani has refused to use a surname in any official capacity, stating that her only religion is "humanity." She believes that true equality can't exist unless we rise above divisive identities rooted in caste, creed, and religion. 'I am against all kinds of inequality—social, economic, or religious,' she told the Times of India. Her philosophy is simple but profound: in a truly evolved society, no one should be known by the baggage of inherited labels. A Family of Freethinkers Her decision didn't emerge in isolation. Srijani's upbringing in a progressive, intellectual household has shaped her beliefs. Her mother, Gopa Mukherjee, an assistant professor at Gurudas College, and her father, Debasish Goswami, a renowned mathematician and Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awardee, have long stood against patriarchy and caste hierarchy. Interestingly, when applying for their children's birth certificates, the parents didn't include any surname. 'We wanted our children to grow up free — not burdened by caste or religion,' said her mother. Walking the Talk Srijani doesn't just preach ideals — she lives them. Ahead of her board exams, she made a formal request to omit her surname in registration forms, an act of quiet defiance that reflects deep conviction. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The principal of her school, Ranjan Mitter, backed her decision, saying, 'As long as the law is satisfied, we support the family's wishes.' She also took part in the "Reclaim the Night" protest in August 2024, a massive demonstration following the tragic rape and murder of a PGT doctor. Srijani and her family were among the thousands demanding justice and women's safety, showing that her activism extends beyond the classroom. Simplicity and Brilliance in Equal Measure Despite her national recognition and political visitors — including State Power Minister Aroop Biswas who personally visited her home to felicitate her — Srijani remains grounded. Her dream is to study physics or mathematics at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. Her focus remains firmly on learning and contributing meaningfully to society. More Than Just a Name Srijani is not just a name; she's a statement — of intellect, integrity, and inclusive ideals. In a time when academic toppers often make news only for their marks, Srijani is raising the bar by reminding us that true education begins when we start questioning inequality and championing human values.
