Media Release

Udupi, Dec 4: Shri Madhwa Vadiraja Institute of Technology and Management (SMVITM), Bantakal, in association with the District Industries Centre (DIC) Udupi, the Karnataka Council for Technological Upgradation (KCTU), and the Technical Consultancy Services Organisation of Karnataka (TECSOK), organized an incubation awareness programme on December 2 under the Government of India’s RAMP (Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance) scheme.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr Sachin Bhat, dean (research), and Dr Sudarshan Rao, dean (academics), who highlighted the importance of design thinking.

The event was presided over by Seetharam Shetty, deputy director, DIC Udupi, who spoke about the various government schemes available for budding entrepreneurs and stressed the importance of early-stage guidance for transforming student ideas into viable ventures. Sunder Sherigar, joint director in-charge, MSME Mangaluru, provided insights into financial assistance, MSME registration benefits, and support mechanisms for first-generation entrepreneurs. The event was coordinated by Arvind D Baleri, associate consultant, TECSOK.

The programme witnessed active participation from faculty members, students, and representatives from local industries. The workshop also featured interactive sessions by R K Balachandra, lead district manager, Corporation Bank, Madikeri, Dr Clavian Miranda, manager, Bioincubators, Manipal, Dr Sachin S Bhat, MD, Alar Innovations, and Ashik Shetty, head, Nitte Aquamarine Centre of Excellence.

The resource persons highlighted the increasing relevance of innovation-driven entrepreneurship in academic institutions and emphasized the need for engineering students to engage actively with incubation ecosystems. The workshop also included sessions on idea validation, prototype development, and the incubation process, facilitated by experts from TECSOK and KCTU.