Patna Science College

Plans are afoot to start an entrepreneurs’ cell at Patna Science College to tap out-of-the-box business ideas students have.

Bihar Entrepreneurs’ Association has approached the institution, one of the premier colleges under Patna University, to start the cell. The organisation will also launch a campaign from the Patna Science College grounds next week to find students with enterprising ideas up their sleeves.

Patna Science College principal U.K. Sinha told The Telegraph that the association approached the administration to launch the campaign Enterprising Bihar from its campus. Aimed at mentoring budding entrepreneurs in colleges across the state, the programme will kick off on November 7.

From there, the campaign will go around the state to identify students with a mind for entrepreneurship.

“The members of Bihar Entrepreneurs’ Association, who are organising the event, requested us to be a part of the event. We agreed. An entrepreneurs’ cell is also a good idea and we are considering it. It would help nurture students with good entrepreneurial ideas. For it to materialise properly, though, we need help from the government and the University Grants Commission. We will write to the UGC for funds to set up the cell,” principal Sinha said on Thursday.

The cell would provide its services to students of other colleges under Patna University too. Students with enterprising ideas would be able to approach the cell for guidance and help.

Sinha added: “We are hoping that the government and different industry bodies in Bihar will provide us with help. The college is crammed at present and funds are required to set up the cell. The cell will have records of students and their ideas. We, in association with the state government and industry bodies, can get in touch with experts in the different fields and provide the students guidance.”

Amit Kumar an undergraduate history student at Patna College, said: “The cell, if formed, would be a boon for many. I want to open an e-commerce store where items all made in Bihar will be on sale. The cell would definitely help people like me who want to trudge new paths.”

Abhishek Singh, the secretary-general of Bihar Entrepreneurs’ Association, said: “There are many young people in Bihar who have wonderful business ideas but do not know how to go about them. The campaign will focus on identifying such people, connecting them to experts and funding agencies who will study their projects and help them. Around 50 mentors, all from prestigious institutions in India and abroad, have agreed to be a part of the campaign.”

The Enterprising Bihar campaign plans to tap into 200 and odd institutions across the state to identify students with an inclination towards entrepreneurship.