Hummingbird News Desk
MANDI, 24 FEB: IIT Mandi Catalyst, a technology business incubator, is providing a great push to startup businesses, chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said during the 12th Foundation Day function of the premier institute at its campus in Kamand, Mandi, on Wednesday.
Addressing the Institute during this grand occasion, Mr Thakur said, “I am honoured to be a part of the 12th Foundation Day celebration at IIT Mandi. I am glad our state is hosting one of the best minds of our country as faculty members and students at IIT Mandi. The Institute has made its mark in research, collaboration, and international linkages established over the past 12 years.”
“During the last three years, the state government has launched several welfare and developmental schemes for the welfare of the people. I am sure that IIT Mandi, with its newly enriched sense of pride, added confidence and commitment, strengthened resolve, drive, and focus, would keep scaling the heights of excellence with the technological development for a self reliant India, in times to come”, he added.
He said the incubator has received more than 1,000 applications and is already supporting 140 startups by providing funding of ₹3.50 crore for clean energy, environment, healthcare, agriculture, enterprise management, biotechnology, education and manufacturing etc.
The CM said that since its inception, IIT Mandi has made unprecedented development while its alumni have excelled in their respective fields.
Thakur said the state government was committed to strengthen the institute in every way possible.
Mr Ram Swaroop Sharma, MP appreciated the progress of the institute and its contribution to the local community.“Himachal Pradesh government has always emphasized the education, health, roads, electricity, water, social security and tribal welfare sectors and achieved socio-economic goals. I congratulate IIT Mandi for its involvement and willingness for the successful implementation of various schemes for the benefit of the society at large. Your contribution is very helpful to build a sustainable and economically independent society and self-sufficient Himachal,” he stated.
The event was attended by the faculty and staff of IIT Mandi. During the event, the Institute’s Archives team presented a slideshow of photographs of the evolution of the institute since 2009.
Speaking during the occasion Prof. Ajit K. Chaturvedi, Director, IIT Mandi, said,“IIT Mandi has is now a leading technical education and research hub. With the support from the state government, IIT Mandi Catalyst has created a vibrant ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship in Himachal Pradesh and beyond. The new Technology Innovation Hub set up with Rs 110 crore supports from DST will focus on the verticals of technology interface development.”
During the pandemic, IIT Mandi took all necessary steps to minimise the impact of disruption on the students’ learning. For continual teaching, the Institute arranged and set up 15 dedicated classrooms equipped with all the necessary devices.
As a result, the Institute witnessed another year of strong Placements for 2020-21 academic session with 108 offers. Microsoft, Amazon, CodeNation, DEShaw, Codenation, Adobe, Hyperverge, Jaguar Land Rover India, C-DAC, RazorPay, Perceptive Analytic, and L&T were few among the top recruiters at IIT Mandi this year.
Apart from this, during the pandemic year, IIT Mandi made rapid strides in Science, Technology, Innovation, Academics, Entrepreneurship, Research & Development, and international linkages. At present, the Institute’s faculties are involved in 37 sponsored research projects worth over Rs. 17.5 Crores and over 300 R&D projects. The Institute has also signed several national and international academic MoUs for collaborative research and knowledge sharing.
