GUWAHATI: The Entrepreneurship and Rural Development Conclave Guwahati (ERDC) 2024, aimed at fostering rural entrepreneurship in the Northeast, culminated on Friday.
The four-day event, held at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati campus from January 2, aimed at playing a pivotal role in shaping rural entrepreneurship projects in the region.
The concluding session witnessed students from IIT Guwahati and schools taking a pledge to be job creators rather than job seekers.
The ERDC Guwahati 2024 featured a slew of conferences addressing the necessity of entrepreneurship development at various levels, including schools, Gram Panchayats, colleges, and students.
The goal was to create a platform for stakeholders to come together and drive transformative change in the country.
Earlier on January 2, the inaugural session was graced by Governor of Assam, Gulab Chand Kataria.
Addressing the gathering, he emphasised on the need for skill development to empower the nation and advocated for Centre’s “vocal for local” initiative.
Acknowledging the untapped potential in the Northeast, Governor Kataria underscored the role of skilled communities in laying the foundation for an Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
Minister of Assam Skill, Employment, and Entrepreneurship Department, Jayanta Malla Baruah highlighted the strength of the rural population and emphasised the importance of empowering rural youth through skill education.
He pointed out the transformative role of a skill university in Assam, training 10,000 students and contributing to rural development.
Education Minister Dr Ranoj Pegu, who also attended the inaugural session, too stressed on the significance of platforms such as ERDC 2024, where entrepreneurship and rural development converge, promoting a thriving ecosystem.
Organised by the IIT Guwahati, in collaboration with IIT Ropar and the Entrepreneurship and Rural Development Centre, ERDC 2024 aimed to formulate actionable plans for sustainable impact, providing networking opportunities for participants.
Prof Rajeev Ahuja, Officiating Director, IIT Guwahati, expressed the institute’s vision for a vibrant Northeast, thriving on entrepreneurship and rural development.
