To nurture entrepreneurship, higher educational institutions should create an ecosystem by providing mentoring, financial and technical assistance that will encourage students to come up with innovative ideas, says a report released by the ICT Academy.

The report released by ICT Academy, a not-for-profit initiative of the Government of India, Tamil Nadu government and industry, has 50 recommendations based on inputs from 142 engineering and arts and science colleges in the State.

According to the report, in addition to building an enabling environment, the institutions can create business opportunities for the young entrepreneurs through competitions, tying up with the Centre and State government and industry players for projects and funding. This is only possible by improving industry and academia collaboration. To bridge the gap, the study suggested educational institutions to create a platform for students to interact with industry players by making in-plant training and industry visits mandatory. Apart from information technology-related projects, colleges can conduct certificate courses like cosmetology, embroidery, jewellery designing and other handicrafts along with the regular curriculum that will empower women, the study recommended.

The report also recommended that colleges work with community schools and empower them by conducting study camps and awareness campaigns, providing financial aid for basic needs like notebooks and improving overall infrastructure.

Addressing media persons during the launch of the report, Lakshmi Narayanan, Chairman, ICT Academy and Vice-Chairman, Cognizant Technology Solutions India, said in the current times where technology is replacing human capital, students’ needs are different from what it was few years ago. There is a need to address the shift in the current curriculum and follow innovative practices to keep up with the change. “The report gives insight into such practices that will help institutions,” he added.

Additionally in an attempt to encourage learning about technology and inculcate the need to integrate technology with school education, the academy is working with schools. Narayanan said, “Unlike school overseas where IT is integrated with school curriculum, in India they are still separate.”

ICT Academy is working with 130 schools in Tamil Nadu. But it faces challenges as most schools in the State are exam-focussed and industry-oriented training programmes have not been received well.