In February 2025, Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge, I/C) Jayant Chaudhary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and MoS, Ministry of Education(MoE) virtually launched ‘Swavalambini’, a woman entrepreneurship programme in 9 colleges and universities of 3 North East (NE) states: Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram.
- The programme aimed to empower female students in select Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the NE region by providing them with the necessary entrepreneurial mind-set, resources and mentorship.
- This for the 1st time MSDE through Guwahati (Assam)-based Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), and in coordination with National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog introduced a structured stage-wise entrepreneurial process from awareness to development, mentorship and funding support.
Key People: Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary of MSDE along with other senior officials of the Ministry were also present at the event.
About Swavalambini Initiative:
i.The initiative aims to facilitate structured training through the Entrepreneurship Awareness Programme (EAP), which introduces entrepreneurship as a viable career option to 600 female students through a 2-day session covering basic entrepreneurial concepts and opportunities.
ii.The initiative is being implemented across various HEIs including Gauhati University (GU) in Guwahati, Assam; North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) in Shillong, Meghalaya; Kiang Nangba Government College in West Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya; Mizoram University in Aizawl, Mizoram; Government Champhai College in Champhai, Mizoram; Lunglei Government College (LGC) in Lunglei, Mizoram; Handique Girl’s College in Guwahati, Assam and Dispur College in Guwahati, Assam; among others.
iii.Also, the Women Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) offers intensive 40-hour training to 300 selected students, covering important business aspects such as training and skilling, access to finance, market linkages, among others.
- The Swavalambini initiative aims to see 10% of EDP trainees to launch their successful enterprises.
- Following this programme, 6 months of mentorship and handholding support will be provided to help participants in translating their ideas into sustainable prospects.
iv.A 5-day Faculty Development Programme (FDP) is introduced as part of the Swavalambini initiative, which aims to focus on upskilling the faculty in the HEIs. This programme will enable the faculty members to effectively train and mentor students in entrepreneurship.
v.Award to Rewards initiative has been introduced to celebrate and recognise successful women entrepreneurs emerging from Swavalambini.
- This programme will also use workshops, mentoring support, and seed funding to create sustainable women-led enterprises.
About Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE):
Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge, I/C)- Jayant Chaudhary (Rajya Sabha member- Uttar Pradesh, UP)
