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AMJC

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

Best Practice 2

Empowering Students through Entrepreneurship and Career Development.

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.

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.

The Practice

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.

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.

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.