As per the 'National Student and Faculty Start-up policy 2019' released by MHRD, India aspires to become 5 trillion-dollar economy by 2024. To reach the mark, it needs to evolve systems and mechanisms to convert the present demographic dividend into high quality technical human resource capable of doing cutting edge research and innovation and deep- tech entrepreneurship. Therefore With an eye of benefitting maximum students by effectively engaging them in creative thinking and innovation during these challenging times of the Covid-19 lockdown, Dr. Neha Jagtiani, the In charge Principal of R.D. National College has proposed the establishment of the ‘Vidyasagar Principal Kundnani Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre’ (VPKIEC) at R.D. National college (Bandra Campus). Notably, this centre shall function within the existing framework of the ‘Innovation Cell’ by Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India and shall be named after the college’s visionary founder Vidyasagar Principal K.M. Kundnani, the forefather of HSNC Board Colleges.
The objective of this centre will be to providing various skill oriented programs and certificate courses to students/ staff pertaining innovation (technology, process or business innovation) to solve the problems of the society and consumers.
The centre will encourage students to develop entrepreneurial mind-set through experiential learning by exposing them to training in cognitive skills (e.g. design thinking, critical thinking, etc.), by inviting first generation local entrepreneurs or experts to address young minds and to initiate idea and innovation competitions, hackathons, workshops, boot camps, seminars, conferences, exhibitions, mentoring by academic and industry personnel, throwing real life challenges, awards and recognition
IIC president and convener manage the IIC of the college supported by a team of coordinators that are be equipped with a strategic plan developed through participatory sessions. Its effective implementation is in consultation with the Head of the Institution. IIC coordinators with their team, ensure successive growth of innovation capacity building activities to develop an inclusive and robust innovation ecosystem. The IIC, through its teams strives to stimulate innovative and entrepreneurial thinking. Fostering research aptitude among students is one of the key areas with exposure to talks and seminars by leading academicians, scientists, industry leaders etc. Such activities help to cultivate a mindset for innovations, cohesive relationship, thereby building an innovation cohort and institutional consortium for innovation in Mumbai region.
- The IIC of the college has been operational since 3 years and has secured 2 stars, 5 stars and 3.5(out of 4) stars in the years 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 respectively.
- Based on the performance of the IIC3.0 the college was also selected as the Mentor institute for 5 Mentee colleges and was sanctioned a grant of 2.25 lacs by the MIC to conduct the scheme.