Two professors each from Goa colleges to get EDC training to mentor entrepreneurs – Times of India

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Jun 28, 2025 - 17:00
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Two professors each from Goa colleges to get EDC training to mentor entrepreneurs – Times of India

EDC Initiative to Foster Entrepreneurship Training in Goa Colleges

Introduction

The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Ltd has launched a new initiative aimed at integrating entrepreneurship training within the formal education system across Goa. This initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

Objective of the Initiative

  • To train two faculty members from each college in Goa in entrepreneurial skills.
  • To equip professors with the necessary knowledge to mentor and guide students in establishing their own ventures.
  • To embed entrepreneurship training into the academic curriculum, promoting innovation and self-employment among youth.

Background and Rationale

According to EDC Managing Director B S Pai Angle, the current education system in most colleges focuses predominantly on job-oriented skills, with minimal emphasis on entrepreneurship. Recognizing the industry’s demand for entrepreneurial skills, the EDC identified a critical gap in formal education that needed to be addressed to support sustainable economic growth and innovation.

Training Programmes and Methodology

  1. Initial one-day awareness sessions conducted in colleges to introduce students to entrepreneurship concepts.
  2. Invitation extended to interested students to participate in a more intensive three-day entrepreneurship programme.
  3. Skill-building modules designed to develop key entrepreneurial traits such as risk-taking and initiative.
  4. Comprehensive guidance on essential business skills including product identification, marketing, finance, legal procedures, and operational management.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

  • SDG 4: Quality Education – By integrating entrepreneurship training into college curricula, the initiative enhances inclusive and equitable quality education and promotes lifelong learning opportunities.
  • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Encouraging entrepreneurship among students fosters job creation, economic diversification, and sustainable economic growth.
  • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The programme supports innovation and builds resilient infrastructure by nurturing entrepreneurial ventures.

Future Directions

EDC aims to deepen its impact by embedding entrepreneurship training at the college level rather than waiting for students to graduate before providing support. This proactive approach is expected to cultivate a culture of innovation and self-reliance among young learners, contributing to Goa’s socio-economic development under the Swayampurna Goa initiative.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

  1. SDG 4: Quality Education – The article focuses on improving the education system by integrating entrepreneurship training into college curricula.
  2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Promoting entrepreneurship among students aims to foster economic growth and create employment opportunities.
  3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Encouraging innovation and entrepreneurial skills aligns with building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

  1. SDG 4 – Target 4.4: Increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.
  2. SDG 8 – Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation.
  3. SDG 9 – Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors, including encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

  • Number of faculty members trained in entrepreneurial skills (implied by training two professors from each college).
  • Number of students participating in entrepreneurship training programs (one-day awareness sessions and three-day intensive programs).
  • Development of entrepreneurial traits such as risk-taking and initiative among students (implied qualitative assessment).
  • Number of student-led ventures or startups initiated post-training (implied goal of mentoring students to set up their own ventures).

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 4: Quality Education 4.4: Increase youth and adults with relevant skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
  • Number of faculty members trained in entrepreneurial skills.
  • Number of students attending entrepreneurship training programs.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth 8.3: Promote policies supporting entrepreneurship and innovation.
  • Number of student-led ventures initiated.
  • Participation rates in entrepreneurship skill-building modules.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure 9.5: Enhance technological capabilities and encourage innovation and entrepreneurship.
  • Development of entrepreneurial traits such as risk-taking and initiative.
  • Number of entrepreneurship training programs embedded in academic curricula.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com