Centurion University, Odisha, successfully hosted a two-day Capacity Building Workshop on Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship (IDE) on 20\u201321 November 2025, bringing together key education leaders from across the state. The program was jointly organized by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the Ministry of Education\u2019s Innovation Cell (MIC), with knowledge support from the Wadhwani Foundation, and coordinated by the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE), Centurion University.<\/p>\n
The State-level inaugural session witnessed the presence of Shri Dipak Ray, Chief Guest, and Shri Yogesh Wadhawan, Guest of Honour. Prof. Shyama Rath, Member Secretary, AICTE, addressed the participants and reiterated AICTE\u2019s commitment to advancing innovation-driven capacity-building initiatives nationwide.<\/p>\n
University leaders \u2014 Prof. Mukti Kanta Mishra, President, Prof. Supriya Pattanayak, Vice Chancellor, and Prof. Ajay Kumar Nayak, Pro Vice Chancellor \u2014 underscored the importance of integrating innovation, design thinking, and entrepreneurship into school education, in alignment with the vision of NEP 2020.<\/p>\n
A total of 70 participants took part in the workshop, including District Education Officers (DEOs), Additional DEOs, District Planning Coordinators, officials from OSEPA, DIET faculty members, and representatives from SCERT, Odisha.<\/p>\n
The technical sessions were conducted by expert speakers from the Wadhwani Foundation \u2014 Shri Shaik Waseem and Ms. Purabee Purnasha Mishra. Their interactive sessions offered deep insights into innovation capacity-building, design-thinking methodologies, and the development of entrepreneurial mindsets among school education stakeholders.<\/p>\n
Participants engaged in hands-on activities, design-thinking exercises, case-based discussions, and collaborative ideation tasks that explored the purpose, processes, and practical approaches to integrating innovation within school ecosystems. The sessions emphasized actionable frameworks to nurture creativity, problem-solving, and student-led innovation.<\/p>\n
Speakers also highlighted the pivotal role of Innovation and Incubation Centers in supporting student projects and early-stage entrepreneurial initiatives, thereby strengthening the state\u2019s innovation ecosystem.<\/p>\n
The valedictory session held on 21 November featured Mr. Birendra Korkara, IAS, Director, Secondary Education, Government of Odisha, who addressed the participants and shared strategic insights on promoting innovation-led reforms in the school education sector.<\/p>\n
The program was efficiently coordinated by Dr. Harish Chandra Mohanta, SPOC from Centurion University and Head, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE), ensuring seamless execution of all sessions and activities.<\/p>\n
This two-day workshop marked a significant step toward enhancing leadership capacities, fostering institutional collaboration, and strengthening Odisha\u2019s school education ecosystem through innovation, design thinking, and entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n