Best Practices
Best Practice - I
Title of the Practices : Innovation and Entrepreneurships
In a world where students take up jobs and become employees in other companies, we wish to create young employers that go ahead and come up with their own innovative startup ventures. The university helps uplift students and encourages them to consider starting their own business. Contributing to the innovative economy, the university empowers students to become innovators and leaders.
1. Objectives of the Practice
It aims to prepare students with knowledge and practical skills to launch and manage their own ventures, fostering creativity, resilience, and leadership. Specific objectives include:
- Promoting creativity and problem-solving skills.
- Equipping students with tools for market analysis and business planning.
- Encouraging risk-taking, resilience, and adaptability.
- Instilling ethics and sustainability principles in entrepreneurship.
- Offering mentorship and networking opportunities with industry experts.
- Developing leadership and practical management skills to prepare students for real-world challenges.
2. The Context
In response to societal challenges and the emerging global trends in innovation, the university established a "hub and spoke" model. This model aims to leverage interdisciplinary knowledge from various domains to create holistic solutions for real-world problems. This approach enables students to identify societal needs, work on grassroots innovations, and build sustainable business solutions to support the Indian startup ecosystem.
3. The Practice
The IE practice involves diverse initiatives such as:
- Developing practical skills through project-based learning.
- Supporting startups with mentorship, industry networking, and resources.
- Conducting regular evaluations, including lab tests, presentations, and project exhibitions, to ensure a comprehensive assessment of student progress.
- Encouraging real-world problem-solving by addressing issues like carbon emissions and biowaste management.
4. Evidence of Success
The IE practice has led to the student-led startups like Wetcoal, Kalahouse, and Purify Drinking Bags, which serve as examples of students translating their learning into real businesses. The detailed startup project, Wetcoal, for instance, utilized innovative machinery and solutions for waste management, highlighting the impact of the IE practice on students' abilities to tackle environmental challenges.
5. Problems Encountered and Resources Required
Implementing this practice encountered hurdles such as managing biowaste in areas without proper drainage systems and tackling carbon emissions. Essential resources for success include reliable access to biowaste raw materials and specialized machinery for processing. These resources are necessary for ongoing waste treatment and project development.
6. Notes
• Project-Based Learning (PBL) Approach: The university also implements PBL courses. These projects foster interdisciplinary collaboration, skill development, and hands-on experience with tools and instruments.
• Key Components:
- Skill Development: Enhances practical and research abilities, along with team collaboration.
- Hands-On Experience: Provides access to tools like 3D printers, PCB machines, and Arduino boards.
- Innovation Laboratories: Equipped with resources to support project work and innovation.
- Evaluation and Recognition: A structured assessment process evaluates projects on their technical complexity and practical application. An Innovation Project Expo showcases top projects, with industry experts assessing them.
• Achievements: In May 2023, the university set a record with the “World’s Largest Innovation Expo by 2600 Freshmen,” certified by the World Book of Records, UK. This milestone emphasizes the success of PBL in promoting practical knowledge application and innovation among students.
Conclusion
Swarrnim University’s commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship through structured practices and project-based learning provides a strong foundation for student success, equipping them to address societal needs and contribute to India’s innovation landscape.
Best Practice - II
Community Outreach-Social Program
Objective: Empowering Rural Communities through Healthcare and Awareness Initiatives
To bridge the disparity between rural and urban areas in health, hygiene, and social welfare, Swarrnim Startup and Innovation University (SSIU) has undertaken the initiative to adopt villages since 2019. This initiative aligns with the “Health for All” principle of the Alma Ata declaration, focusing on enhancing healthcare, education, and sanitation in rural communities. The university initially adopted five villages and expanded the program to include more in 2023.
With the same vision and social responsibility towards our country and people here at Swarrnim Startup and Innovation University in the year 2019 adopted five villages that mentioned in the below table:
| Sr. No | Name of Village | District | State | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tintoda | Gandhinagar | Gujarat | NA |
| 2 | Saij | Gandhinagar | Gujarat | NA |
| 3 | Dhamsana | Gandhinagar | Gujarat | NA |
| 4 | Nardipur | Gandhinagar | Gujarat | NA |
| 5 | Sonipur | Gandhinagar | Gujarat | NA |
| 6 | Arsodiya | Gandhinagar | Gujarat | These village has been adopted in 2023. |
| 7 | Sertha | Gandhinagar | Gujarat | These village has been adopted in 2023. |
| 8 | Uvarsad | Gandhinagar | Gujarat | These village has been adopted in 2023. |
Context
Rural communities often face limited access to healthcare, nutrition, education, and sanitation. To address these needs, Swarrnim Startup and Innovation University has introduced regular medical camps, education support, nutritional programs, and sanitation facilities in these villages. By fostering community awareness, improving resources, and conducting health campaigns, the program aims to uplift the living standards and health conditions of these areas.
Practice
The village adoption program involves a structured approach for sustainable development, emphasizing health, education, and hygiene. Medical camps offer free consultations and medicines, and special health awareness campaigns are conducted on notable health days. Awareness rallies, nukkad nataks, and interactive sessions educate residents about preventive healthcare, such as recognizing disease symptoms and accessing government health resources.
In response to health crises like COVID-19 and the Chandipura virus outbreak, Swarrnim Startup and Innovation University organized preventive initiatives, including medicine distribution and a COVID center on campus. Faculty and students engage in door-to-door surveys and awareness programs to build trust and familiarize themselves with the community's needs, helping to implement effective and culturally sensitive health interventions.
Evidence of success
Since the program's inception in 2019, significant improvements in community health and well-being have been observed. Regular camps have empowered the rural population to prioritize health, creating sustainable improvements. The community’s positive response, improved health metrics, and documented camp data highlight the program's impact on rural healthcare accessibility and self-sufficiency.
Problems Encountered and Resources Required:
Challenges included limited local medical facilities, lack of healthcare awareness, and difficulties in establishing rapport with residents. To overcome these, Swarrnim Startup and Innovation University conducted awareness programs about government health services and engaged in door-to-door visits to connect with villagers. The support from local leaders, including the village Sarpanch, proved essential for organizing suitable locations for camps and overcoming logistical issues. Through consistent outreach, Swarrnim Startup and Innovation University ’s village adoption program continues to support rural communities in accessing essential healthcare, promoting preventive practices, and fostering sustainable community growth.