Interactive Q&A Session on Entrepreneurship at Panjab University

Chandigarh, January 21, 2025: The Department of Alumni Relations PU today organised an interactive Question and Answer Session on Entrepreneurship featuring Dr. Munish Jindal, an eminent entrepreneur and founder of Hover Robotix, at the Alumni House, Panjab University, Chandigarh. The event saw a large gathering of students, faculty, and budding entrepreneurs.

Dr. Munish Jindal, PU alumnus from Ludhiana is a serial entrepreneur and 6-time TEDx speaker, inspired the attendees by urging them to fully commit to their entrepreneurial dreams. He exhorted the budding entrepreneurs to avoid having a "Plan B" and dedicate at least four years of their lives to pursuing their ventures with utmost dedication. Emphasizing the importance of coordination and cooperation, Dr. Jindal shared his journey of establishing Hover Robotix, a leading AI and robotics organization in eMobility, which is among the top five globally.

Dr. Jindal, who also serves as the Founding President of MENTORx and Director General of Lucr8 Ventures, brought a wealth of experience from his extensive work in over 65 countries. He is a recipient of the prestigious 'Karmaveer Chakra' by the United Nations iCongo and has been a key figure in the e-mobility revolution in India.

The session also featured contributions from various members of the Panjab University community:

Dr. Richa Rastogi, a faculty member from the Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, discussed her Concept to Product Challenge in nanotechnology, aiming to bridge the gap between academic research and market-ready products.

Mr. Mayank Mani Prasad, a student in chemical engineering, shared his ongoing attempts at developing a prototype that could have significant industry applications.

Er. Utkarsh Mishra, another student, presented his work at the Battery Testing Lab at Panjab University, highlighting the progress in battery technology and its implications for future energy solutions.

Er. Saksham Shukla, a student from UIET, discussed his innovative project where he is deploying IoT devices on the shop floors of industries. His team has also developed an IoT platform to support these deployments, showcasing the potential of technology integration in industrial settings.

Moved by the enthusiasm of the university's students and faculty, Dr. Jindal passionately offered "every drop of his blood" for the betterment of the university, signifying his unwavering support for its initiatives.

Managers from the DST-Technology Enabling Centre (TEC), including Dr. Sadaf Jan, Dr. Virender Singh, and Er. Prateek Sahani, were also present at the session. They provided insights into their upcoming Investors' Summit scheduled for 3rd, 4th, and 5th March 2025, aimed at fostering collaborations between startups and potential investors.

Professor Manu Sharma, Coordinator of TEC, briefed the audience about the Transfer of Technology (ToT) Conference planned for 23rd and 25th May 2025, which will focus on transferring medical devices developed by academia to the industry.

Professor Latika Sharma assured the gathering of her commitment to acting as a bridge between the current students, teachers, and alumni of Panjab University to initiate win-win projects. She highlighted the significance of the day, noting that it coincided with the birthday of Swami Vivekananda Ji according to the Bhartiya calendar, making it an apt occasion to brainstorm on entrepreneurship.

Dr. Jindal concluded the session by encouraging the audience not to fear failures in their entrepreneurial journey and agreed to undertake mock pitch sessions to prepare budding entrepreneurs for the upcoming Investors' Summit.

The event was a resounding success, leaving the attendees motivated and ready to embrace the challenges of the entrepreneurial world with renewed vigor.