THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
JANUARY 11, 2026
Centurion
University of Technology and Management, Odisha, has successfully concluded the
Phase-III Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship (IDE) Bootcamp, a three-day
intensive programme aimed at strengthening innovation-led school education
under the PM SHRI initiative. Held from January 7 to 9, 2026, the bootcamp
brought together over 203 principals and teachers from PM SHRI Schools across
the state, equipping them with modern pedagogical approaches and
entrepreneurial competencies aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP)
2020.
The programme
was jointly organized by the Department of School Education and Literacy, the
All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and the Ministry of
Education’s Innovation Cell (MIC), in collaboration with the Wadhwani
Foundation. Designed to foster creativity, problem-solving and experiential
learning, the bootcamp focused on empowering school leaders to integrate design
thinking and innovation-driven methodologies into classroom practices, thereby
preparing students for future challenges.
The bootcamp
was virtually inaugurated on January 7 by Dr. Abhay Jere, Vice Chairman, AICTE,
who simultaneously launched the programme across eight centres in six states,
underscoring its national significance. At Centurion University, the
state-level inauguration witnessed the presence of eminent academicians and
education leaders. Prof. Supriya Pattanayak, Vice-Chancellor of Centurion
University, delivered the welcome address, highlighting the university’s
commitment to nurturing innovation at the grassroots level. The programme was
coordinated by Dr. Harish Chandra Mohanta, Head of the Department of
Electronics and Communication Engineering, with the department extending key
academic and technical support. Vikash Verma from the Ministry of Education’s
Innovation Cell, AICTE, elaborated on the objectives and transformative
potential of the initiative.
During the
sessions, Prof. Jagannath Padhi, Director, Centurion University, stressed the
importance of skill-based and experiential learning in shaping future-ready
education systems. R. Subramaniam, Executive Director, Siddhanta Knowledge
Foundation, Chennai, and Srinivasan T. R., Deputy Director – Institutional
Engagement, Siddhanta Knowledge Foundation, spoke on the role of institutional
collaboration in promoting innovation in education. Dr. Ajay Kumar Nayak,
Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration), proposed the vote of thanks.
The curriculum
featured interactive group exercises, hands-on working sessions, design
thinking workshops and collaborative problem-solving activities, enabling
participants to effectively translate innovation concepts into real classroom
applications.
The
valedictory session was graced by Himansu Bhusana Samarath, Joint Director
(Teacher Education), OSEPA, as the Chief Guest, who outlined a future roadmap
for embedding innovation and entrepreneurship within school education systems.
Prof. Biswajit Mishra, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academics), emphasized the pivotal
role of leadership in fostering innovation-driven learning environments.
The successful
completion of the Phase-III IDE Bootcamp further reinforces Centurion
University’s role in advancing PM SHRI Schools as centres of excellence and in
building a strong, inclusive innovation ecosystem for holistic and future-ready
education.
