Agurchand Manmull Jain College
(A Unit of Sri. S. S. Jain Educational Society)(Affiliated to the University of Madras)
Meenambakkam, Chennai – 600 061.
Agurchand Manmull Jain College
(A Unit of Sri. S. S. Jain Educational Society)
(Affiliated to the University of Madras)
Meenambakkam, Chennai – 600 061.
Best Practice - 2
Empowering Students through Entrepreneurship and Career Development.
- Objectives of the Practice
- Implementing Outcome-Based Education aligned with NEP 2020.
- Promoting experiential and project-based learning to support ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat.’
- Enhancing co-curricular engagement for teamwork, leadership, and social responsibility.
- Fostering environmental sustainability and ethical, value-based education for a ‘Viksit Bharat.’
- The Context
- Diverse Student Demographics: Catering to students from varied socio-economic backgrounds required inclusive and adaptive educational strategies, while also fostering global competence.
- Implementing NEP 2020 reforms emphasized holistic education, critical thinking, and vocational skills.
- The institution adopted comprehensive reforms, integrating academic rigor with practical experience and aligning with national development agendas to prepare students for a multidisciplinary, student-centric, and socially responsible future.
- The Practice
The institution has implemented reforms for a holistic education approach through:
- Outcome-Based Education (OBE):
- Curriculum Delivery: Courses with measurable outcomes align with NEP 2020, focusing on knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
- Student-Centric Pedagogy: Interactive methods enhance learning.
- Continuous Assessments: Regular evaluations support improvement.
- Flexibility and Feedback: Class Committee Meetings (CCMs) and audits ensure curriculum effectiveness, refining practices based on trends and stakeholder feedback.
- Experiential Learning:
- ‘Thadam – The Project Day’: Students showcase innovative projects supporting ‘Make in India.’
- Research Cells and Collaborations: Industry partnerships provide internships, fostering employability and eco-conscious entrepreneurship.
- Co-curricular Engagement:
- Over 20 clubs and extension activities engage students in national priorities like climate action, ‘Panch Pran,’ and SDGs 2030.
- Environmental Sustainability:
- Green campus initiatives align with the ‘Net Zero’ goal.
- Ethical and Value-Based Education:
- Regular sessions reinforce ethics and inclusivity, ensuring accessible education for diverse communities.
- Evidence of Success
- Academic excellence improved graduation rates and student progression through OBE and experiential learning.
- The AMJCian Bazaar fostered an entrepreneurial culture, leading over 50 alumni to start ventures and file patents, aligning with NEP’s vision.
- Thadam – The Project Day showcased over 90 projects, attracting 600 participants and 5,000 visitors.
- Extension activities positively impacted local communities by promoting sustainability.
- National recognition from ‘Make in India’ and ‘Net Zero’ facilitated collaborations with NGOs.
- Increased alumni success stories demonstrate the model’s effectiveness in contributing to development goals.
- Problems Encountered and Resources Required
- A key challenge was fostering a culture of innovative thinking to transform novel ideas into practical models, enabling creative problem-solving and impactful real-world solutions. Initiatives like Thadam, Teach the Teachers, and innovative curricular methods addressed this challenge.
- Another challenge involved shifting focus from teachers to students, tackled through student-centric methods as part of OBE. Technological interventions, including interactive panels and ICT tools, contributed to this transformation.
- Faculty development programs also enhanced engagement and learning outcomes.
1. Objectives of the Practice
- Primary aim: Equip students with skills for entrepreneurship and employment opportunities.
- Nurturing entrepreneurial skills: Foster an entrepreneurial mindset, promoting self-sustained living by providing platforms for ideation, incubation, and implementation of business ventures.
- Career development for employability: Offer career workshops and skill development programs linked to industry needs.
- Promoting startup culture: Support student-led startups through mentorship, funding, and exposure to the business ecosystem, fostering innovation.
- Entrepreneurship through practice: Provide real-world experiences that develop leadership, financial acumen, and hands-on business management skills.
2. The Context
- Self-sufficiency and entrepreneurial skills are essential in today’s job market.
- Many students prioritize employment over entrepreneurship, highlighting the need for structured initiatives.
- The institution addressed this gap by offering mentorship, workshops, and industry linkages for student startups.
- The institution launched the SEED Cell and AMJCian Bazaar to provide a formal structure for entrepreneurial pursuits and to offer hands-on experience in business operations.
- The growing demand for graduates with enhanced soft skills, digital literacy, and leadership abilities prompted the integration of these skills into career development programs, supporting comprehensive student growth.
3. The Practice
- The practice aligns with the institution’s mission to prepare graduates for entrepreneurial and professional careers through ideation, incubation, and practical exposure.
- The Students Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Development (SEED) Cell serves as a hub for aspiring entrepreneurs, offering mentorship, startup support, and opportunities to implement innovative ideas.
- Campus Startups have gained momentum, with initiatives like Pustak Barati, RASMATI (Soup Corner), Cream Parlour, Food and Beverage KIOSKs and the SUCHIKA tailoring unit providing real-time entrepreneurial training.
- The AMJCian Bazaar, an annual student-run marketplace, allows students to manage product sourcing, pricing, and customer service, fostering teamwork and leadership skills.
- The college emphasizes holistic career development through workshops and seminars led by industry professionals, covering soft skills, resume-building, interview preparation, and digital literacy.
- This comprehensive approach ensures students are well-prepared for traditional employment and opportunities in the digital economy.
4. Evidence of Success
- The SEED Cell’s initiatives have significantly impacted the student community. Campus Startups, including the A.M. Jain Ice Cream Parlour, recorded sales of ₹87,735 and profits of ₹18,511 in 2023-24, following ₹1,20,890 in sales and ₹21,913 in profit in 2022-23. Other ventures include TEA Boy and Karuna Club’s organic farming initiatives.
- Pustak Barati generated ₹2,42,615 in sales with a profit of ₹41,065 in 2019-20, while RASMATI (Soup Corner) achieved sales of ₹60,850 and profits of ₹33,310.
- The AMJCian Bazaar, launched in 2020-21, provides a platform for hands-on entrepreneurship. In 2022-23, it hosted 105 stalls, with 83 student-run, attracting around 5,000 visitors. By 2023-24, it expanded to 149 stalls, including the Aaharam Traditional Food Festival, drawing about 10,000 visitors.
- The ED Cell organizes seminars and workshops connecting students with successful entrepreneurs, increasing participation and resulting in a student progression rate of 79.58% in 2024.
5. Problems Encountered and Resources Required
- To support budding entrepreneurs, the institution established the SEED Cell as a hub for innovation. It offers mentorship, industry connections, and startup funding, fostering a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem. Initially, student interest in entrepreneurship was limited, but awareness campaigns and success stories ignited enthusiasm.
- Collaborations and experiential learning through the AMJCian Bazaar transformed the campus mindset, making entrepreneurship an exciting and rewarding career path for many students.
