Ms. Shraddha Senger is the Vibrancy Head at the Graduate School Of Business. At present, she is pursuing a Ph.D. from Renaissance University. She has 11 years of experience in teaching, recruitment, campus selections, sourcing to onboarding, performance management, compensation and benefits, payrolls, welfare, and general administration including vendor and client relationship management. She has published two articles in UGC Care/ peer-reviewed journals.

Graduate School of Business

What is the latest program that you are offering in your institute/ department that will help students outperform and stand apart from the crowd?

As GSB is not only a merit factory in academics but in GSB we also have students who are performing extremely outstanding in sports, and creativity, and a few of our students are planning their startups. So keeping this in our mind we have introduced E-cell under our vibrancy club. Which is designed to empower students and help them stand out from the crowd. Our newest offering is the "Startup cell." This will assist our budding entrepreneurs in brainstorming new ideas and also provide them with a platform where they can meet, learn, and take guidance from experts and different business owners. The Vibrant Futures Initiative is a comprehensive program that focuses on holistic development, career readiness, and personal growth. It is tailored to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and experiences necessary to outperform their peers and excel in the competitive world beyond college.

What are the factors that make this program the best for the students to opt for?

Introducing a startup cell or entrepreneurship program at a college can be highly beneficial for students. Through this club, we want to provide our students access to resources like co-working spaces, funding opportunities, mentorship programs, and access to relevant technology and equipment. Management and commerce students, all learn theoretically all these things in their syllabus and so every student of DAVV does, but in GSB we want to make our students industry-ready. Under this club, we will offer courses and workshops that cover essential entrepreneurship topics such as business planning, marketing, finance, and legal aspects of starting a business, and who knows few of them will get funding from experts if they come up with good business ideas. Access to seed funding, grants, or venture capital networks can be a significant draw for aspiring student entrepreneurs. The availability of funds can help turn ideas into viable businesses. This club will help them to develop a network and make them understand the legality of business practices.

What are the best practices in the course you’re offering?

Starting an entrepreneur club in college can be an exciting and rewarding venture. Under this club, we offer the best practices by organizing regular networking events where club members can meet and connect with fellow entrepreneurs, professionals, and potential mentors. Networking is a crucial skill for entrepreneurs. Invite successful entrepreneurs, industry experts, and business professionals to speak at club meetings or host workshops. They can share their experiences, and insights, and provide valuable knowledge. Host pitch competitions where members can practice presenting their business ideas, receive feedback, and compete for prizes. This can help members refine their pitches and business concepts. Create a mentorship program that pairs experienced entrepreneurs or alumni with club members. Mentors can provide guidance, advice, and support for budding entrepreneurs. Offer workshops and resources to help members develop and refine their business plans. Emphasize the importance of a well-thought-out business strategy. Teach members how to create compelling pitch decks for investors and partners. Offer guidance on storytelling, design, and content. Provide information about funding sources, grants, and competitions available to startups. Help members navigate the process of securing funding. Leverage our college's alumni network to connect members with successful entrepreneurs who have graduated from our institution. For this, we have a separate alumni cell.

What are some valuable insights into the program that you are offering at your institute/department?

Startup club can ensure that students are being prepared for the future by offering a comprehensive range of activities and resources that focus on developing both entrepreneurial skills and a broader set of skills that are essential for success in the ever-evolving professional landscape by providing opportunities for members to learn and practice key entrepreneurial skills, such as ideation, market research, business planning, marketing, financial management, and pitching. Host workshops, training sessions, and hackathons that target these skills. Encourage members to work on real startup projects or internships within the club or through partnerships with local startups. This hands-on experience helps students apply what they've learned in a practical context. GSB also holds a membership with the "Young Indian - Indore Chapter". Which is providing many internship opportunities and industrial visits to our students.

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How does the program ensure that students are being prepared for the future?

At GSB, we have faculty members who have a strong background in corporate and academic. They have very good exposure to industries in different departments like HR, Marketing, Finance, and IT. This enables our faculty to guide our students by their knowledge and experience. Mentors of the Start-up Club have prepared a structured curriculum that outlines the topics, content, and activities that will be covered in the program. Ensure that the curriculum aligns with their learning objectives. We always encourage our faculty mentors to stay updated with the latest industry trends and teaching methodologies through ongoing professional development.

How did you train yourself to deliver this program to the students?

Building industry connections for your entrepreneurship program can be a valuable resource for students and can enhance the overall learning experience. We invite industry professionals to speak at events, workshops, or classes. Their insights and experiences can provide valuable real-world perspectives to students. Establish partnerships with companies and startups in the target industries to offer internship opportunities for students. Practical experience is highly valuable for aspiring entrepreneurs. We will host networking events or conferences that bring together students, faculty, and industry professionals. These events can facilitate connections and collaboration.

How do you tend to build an industry connection with this program?

Students in an entrepreneurship program can work on a wide range of projects, depending on the program's focus, resources, and goals. These projects are often designed to provide practical experience and help students develop their entrepreneurial skills. Under this club, we give assignments to enrolled students that will make them learn to develop comprehensive business plans for startup ideas. These assignments will include conducting market research, defining target audiences, creating financial projections, and outlining a strategic plan for launching and running a business.

What were the challenges that you faced while inculcating this program into your curriculum?

Pursuing a course or program in entrepreneurship can offer a wide range of benefits and open up various career options. Start-up clubs will provide students with practical skills such as business planning, market research, financial management, and leadership, which are valuable in various professional contexts. Students will learn how to think creatively, identify opportunities, and innovate, which can benefit them in any field where problem-solving and creativity are valued. Entrepreneurship programs will facilitate networking with industry professionals, mentors, and fellow students, which can lead to valuable connections and potential collaboration. Entrepreneurship education encourages self-motivation, resilience, and the ability to embrace failure as a learning experience, fostering personal growth and development. Students will develop strong problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities, which are transferable to a wide range of career paths.