The first session of the second edition of the IDE Boot Camp was inaugurated via video conferencing by AICTE Director, Prof. T.G. Sitharam, under the joint aegis of the Central Education Department and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). MGM University’s Institute of Management and Research was the only institution from Maharashtra selected to host this boot camp. Entrepreneur Ram Bhogle was present as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony held in the Rukmini Auditorium of the university. On behalf of the university, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Vilas Sapkal, Registrar Dr. Ashish Gadekar, Director Dr. Ranit Kishore, Central Education Department Innovation Cell’s Saurabh Nirmale, Umesh Rathod, MAGIC’s Ashish Garde, Wadhwani Foundation’s Vishal Nair, MCED Regional Officer Dattatreya Thaware, and other dignitaries were also present.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. T.G. Sitharam said, “The students participating in this boot camp are the architects of tomorrow’s India. Today, India has over 40,000 startups, making us the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world. Through this five-day camp, you will have the opportunity to learn many things that will contribute to your skill development, innovation, networking, opportunities, and overall growth. You should aim to learn as much as possible here.”

“Regardless of what we become in life, to succeed, we must work on the key elements of knowledge, skills, Aptitude, and values. Especially values, as without them, our efforts lack direction. Even at the age of seventy, I continue to learn, and it’s essential to always be a learner. You must understand the problems of society and think about solving them through startups. Your ideas and creations should not be fleeting; your startups should be sustainable. The startups you create should help solve the problems of society,” said entrepreneur Ram Bhogle.

In his address, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Vilas Sapkal said, “The Biggest power of the country is youth. During this five-day camp, while you present your startups and various ideas, it’s important to consider the enhancement of productivity, reduction the costs, improvements in quality, and environmental sustainability. Today, you are fortunate to have access to the best technology. If you not only keep pace with time but stay ahead of it, you will lead the contemporary era. You must use the resources available to you efficiently. MGM University is fully implementing the National Education Policy, and we are working toward the holistic development of students. I am confident that in these five days, you will learn innovative ideas and present your own positively.”