Parul University Hosts Regional Mentoring Session on Innovation for PM SHRI School Teachers and Students

Vadodara Based Parul University Hosted a Three Day Regional Mentoring Session on Innovation for Teachers and Students of PM SHRI Schools

Vadodara-based Parul University hosted a three day Regional Mentoring Session on  Innovation for Teachers & Students of PM SHRI Schools, organized by the Ministry of Education’s School Education and Literacy Department with the Innovation Cell and the All India Council for Technical Education along with the Wadhwani Foundation. The program sought to stimulate the development of creativity, entrepreneurship, design thinking, and problem-solving skills of PM SHRI Schools teachers and students.

More than 120 participants from the various schools and 60 schools across Gujarat participated in the mentoring session that trained students to invent creative solutions to problems. The program included field trips to incubation centers and university excellence centers which allowed participants to experience the full process of innovation from its beginning stage to startup business development.

The session was attended by many prominent dignitaries including Shri Mukeshkumar M. Patel (Additional State Project Director, State Project Office), Samagra Shiksha, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Ms. Shilpa Patel (Secretary, State Project Office, Samagra Shiksha, Gandhinagar, Gujarat), Mr. Ramesh Ghorecha (Lecturer, District Institute of Education and Training, Vadodara), Shri Keshurbhai Chetariya (CRC Coordinator, District Devbhoomi Dwarka), Shri Pradeep Dhage (Assistant Innovation Director, AICTE-MoE Innovation Cell (MIC), Ministry of Education, Government of India), Shri Aseem Kalta (Startup Fellow, AICTE), Dr. Arvind Deshmukh (Innovation Expert & Master Trainer, Wadhwani Foundation), Ms. Anbumathi (Innovation Venture Catalyst & Design Thinking Expert, Wadhwani Foundation), Dr. Kunjal Sinha (Pro-Vice Chancellor, Parul University),  Mr. Jay Sudani (CEO, PIERC), and Mr. Swapnil Parikh (Dean Principal, Faculty of Engineering & Technology). 

Through the Parul Innovation & Entrepreneurship Research Centre (PIERC), Parul University continues to strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem. Ranked among the Top 50 Higher Education Institutions in India under the Ministry of Education’s NIRF Innovation Rankings, the university has successfully incubated over 250 startups, generated more than 1200 employment opportunities, and achieved cumulative startup revenues exceeding ₹33 crore.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Jay Sudani, CEO, Parul Innovation & Entrepreneurship Research Centre (PIERC), said, “Innovation begins when young minds are encouraged to question, explore, and create solutions for real-world challenges. Through initiatives like RMS, we aim to build a strong culture of innovation and entrepreneurship at the school level itself.”

Vice President and Medical Director of Parul University, Dr. Geetika Madan Patel, stated, “Empowering students and educators with innovation-driven learning experiences is essential for shaping future-ready leaders. Such collaborative initiatives play a vital role in strengthening the innovation ecosystem envisioned under NEP 2020.”

On the final day student teams showcased their original research and prototype designs to both their mentors and evaluators. The School Innovation Contest provides selected projects with financial assistance which reaches a maximum of ₹1.5 lakh and includes patent filing support through the KAPILA initiative.

The successful organization of RMS 2026 at Parul University reflects a collective commitment towards nurturing young innovators, strengthening India’s innovation ecosystem, and preparing students and educators to become changemakers of tomorrow.