EDII’s Fourteenth Biennial Conference on Entrepreneurship inaugurated
· Over 180 papers were received, out of which 114 papers have been accepted for presentation
Ahmedabad: The 14th International Biennial Conference on Entrepreneurship organised by the Institute during February 25-27, 2020 was inaugurated by Chief Guest Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder – Kalinga Institute of Technology and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences. This three-day conference is being attended (through offline and online modes) by academicians, practitioners, thinkers, and researchers engaged in the field of Entrepreneurship from prestigious national and international institutions. Over 180 papers were received, out of which 114 papers have been accepted for presentation. Academicians from Nepal, South Africa and Nigeria are also presenting.
Also present at the inaugural function was Dr. Rajeev Sharma, Conference Chair and Assoc. Professor (Retd.), IIM Ahmedabad, Mr. H. K. Mittal, Sr. Advisor, EDII, Ahmedabad and Dr. Sunila Shukla, Director General, EDII.
In his welcome address Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII introduced Dr. Achyuta Samanta to the august gathering as a noted academician, social entrepreneur cum innovator, and an institution builder who fought adversities but ensured that he set up the prestigious Kalinga Institute of Industrial technology and the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences. Dr. Shukla mentioned that Prof. Samanta’s initiatives have become the pride of not just Odisha and India, but also of the world. Besides Education, Prof. Samanta’s primary domains of intervention include Rural Development, Women Empowerment, Social Service, Low-Cost Health Care Facilities, Art Literature, Media Culture, Entertainment, and Spiritualism informed Dr. Shukla.
Dr. Shukla reviewed the changing scenario of entrepreneurship and the need, therefore, to research the emerging trends and patterns. He hoped that this Conference would serve as a platform to researchers and academicians from across the world to generate a productive, enlightening, and exciting synergy, and will provide an opportunity for professors, practitioners, and thinkers in India and abroad to assimilate, communicate and disperse their experiences and experiments.
In his inaugural speech, Chief Guest Dr. Achyuta Samanta said, “The COVID 19 has endured a spate of uncertainties for all, with entrepreneurs also getting severely affected. The pandemic situation brought into cognizance the need for security, social justice, and a cleaner planet. Several entrepreneurs rose up to the occasion, learned to adapt, innovate, and succeeded whereas several others waned amidst the crisis. So, the lesson is that entrepreneurs need to be taught to anticipate crises and develop preparedness to deal with every situation. Research in entrepreneurship is, therefore, an urgent need, and extremely important to bring out the aspects that need to be focussed upon. I am glad that such conferences are organised where scholars exchange learnings and cull out new ways and means to propel entrepreneurship.”
Dr. Rajeev Sharma, Conference Chair gave a briefing on the conference agenda. Dr. Sharma informed all that the themes to be covered in the Conference would include; Entrepreneurship Perspectives & Practices, Entrepreneurship Education, Women Entrepreneurship, Social Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Agripreneurship, Sectoral Entrepreneurship, Startups, Incubators & Accelerators etc.
Dr. Sharma said that the Conference would promote and advance the understanding of entrepreneurship theory and research in these areas.
Mr. H. K. Mittal, in a distinguished plenary lecture, said, “Entrepreneurship is certainly a domain that India associates itself with and must be promoted. The recent pandemic situation gave rise to several mask manufacturers at all levels, including the grassroots. But what is even more heartening is that India had never manufactured PPE kits before and today the country is exporting these kits. Also, we gradually moved on to producing ventilators, air purifiers, and vaccines. So, India abounds in potential in tech-entrepreneurship. We need to exploit this potential and adopt ways that help us move on to promising trajectories. This Conference is a big step in the direction.”
The function concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Mr. Ganapathi Batthini. The Conference is expected to generate positive and meaningful responses, leading to intellectually stimulating discussions and strategies.