Pre-incubation E-YUVA centre to have young innovators at Panjab University 

Chandigarh, February 6, 2022: BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council), the private sector arm of the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, GoI has sanctioned a pre-incubation grant of INR 2.36 crores with Dr, Rohit Sharma with its project investigator.  The council has launched a scheme called E-YUVA (Empowering Youth for Undertaking Innovative Research through Vibrant Acceleration) to empower young innovators pan-India. This first call under the scheme was officially launched on the auspicious occasion of 73rd Republic Day of India and a  total number of ten E-YUVA Centres (EYCs) have been set up across the country under the same.
There is no exaggeration in saying that with the leadership of a visionary like Honorable Vice Chancellor, Prof. Raj Kumar, the university is all set to drive this project with a responsibility of encouraging the youngsters to innovate for the new India- the Atma-nirbhar Bharat! He has always emphasized on bringing together different verticals of reserach for a multi-dicsiplinary approach to problem-solving and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship keeping in view the ever- dynamic global scenario.
Dr. Rohit Sharma, the Chief Coordinator, E-YUVA Centre-PU said, “The EYC-PU aims to provide a platform to the youth with an opportunity for spreading their wings in entrepreneurial ventures.” Dr. Sharma also highlighted that the selected candidates will receive support in the form of fellowships, pre-incubation facilities, mentoring support and possible laison with the industry. In a first of its sort initiative, under this scheme 250 E-YUVA fellowships will be granted to undergraduate students alone across the country.  25 of these selected student innovators will be selected by and for E-YUVA Centre of Panjab University, Chandigarh. There will one mentor for each team from the selected institutions. Along with these, 30 innovation fellows (post- graduates and post-doctorate researchers) will be selected Pan-India out of which 3 will be selected for E-YUVA, PU. Dr. Sharma informed that this scheme will be a great boost for students in and around the city who have a unique idea in mind that can help solving the problems prevailing in the society. This is being done to promote grass root innovations. A call for proposals for the same is already out at BIRAC website, and the last date of receiving applications online is 31st March, 2022.