Ahmedabad based Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) is a pioneer institute in offering the management programmes that ensure emergence of competent 1st generation entrepreneurs. The candidates seeking admission in EDII can get admission to one of its PGDM programmes on the basis of any national level MBA entrance tests like CAT/MAT/CMAT/ATMA/XAT.
EDII was set up in 1983 as an autonomous body by IDBI, IFCI, ICICI and SBI, with support from Govt of Gujarat. It offers a unique PGDM in Business Entrepreneurship, a unique program that offers all that a good PGDM program offers, and a lot more.
With a focus on entrepreneurship and as revealed by Dr Sunil Shukla, who has recently joined as Director of EDII, Ahmedabad, the institute has consistently been successful in creating more entrepreneurs than job seekers in the country where fewer opt for ‘Start Up India’ or ‘Make in India’ initiatives and choose entrepreneurship. The institute is producing more job creators than job seekers. MBAUniverse.com spoke to Dr Sunil Shukla to learn more about the institution and the program.
Dr Shukla has been associated with the institution for a long time and is also the national team leader of Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) India, a consortium of three Institutions comprising EDII Ahmedabad, IMT Ghaziabad and ISB Hyderabad.
Edited excerpts of the interview:
EDII is an Institute with a legacy of 34 years. What are key milestones in its journey so far?
EDII achieved its vision of becoming a ‘National Resource Centre in Entrepreneurship’ by pioneering many newer activities such as, developing Post Graduate Programs focussing on entrepreneurship education, training and research, setting up of centres and entrepreneurship development institutions both within and outside the country, publication of a journal in entrepreneurship, and so on.
EDII has always scanned the environment, conducted a comprehensive research and subsequently devised strategy. Some of its notable achievements are
-Evolved the Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP) Model; widely being implemented as EDI-EDP Model at national and international levels.
-Research on ‘Review of Entrepreneurship Curricula in Higher Learning Institutions’ helped University Grants Commission, Govt. of India, in developing entrepreneurship curriculum for college level education.
-Research on ‘Entry Barriers to Entrepreneurship: As Perceived by Youth’, facilitated the Ministry of SSI and ARI, Govt. of India, in framing policy to establish Entrepreneurship and Business Development Centres in Universities.
-Launched the first-of-its-kind structured educational program to train students in New Enterprise Creation and Family Business Management. Over the years, won recognitions for the business entrepreneurship program including; AICTE, AIU, and USASBE-USA.
-Introduced the Industrial Cluster Development Model (including cluster development executives' concept) leading to formulation of the Cluster Development Scheme.
-Designed an integrated nationally replicable programme for Start-ups (Village Entrepreneurship). The ‘Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme’ adopts creation of MCBs as one of its instruments.
-Formulated policy level interventions for institutionalizing entrepreneurship development in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Work in a few other countries is under progress.
-Launched CrAdLE (Centre for Advancing and Launching Enterprises), business incubator, supported by National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board, Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt. of India.
- EDII is a Nodal Institute for Start-up/ Innovation Policy, Govt. of Gujarat.
-Won several accolades and awards and was recognized among the top 25 Indian Institutions offering specialized programs for budding entrepreneurs by Small Enterprise.
How the PGDM at EDII is distinct from other B-schools? Share its key USPs
Looking at the intricacies of industrial development post liberalisation and growing competition for the Indian enterprises, EDII felt the need to launch a program in order to develop entrepreneurial skills for those who intended to grow and diversify their family businesses or create new ventures. The PGDM programmes offered by EDII have been developed with the mandates of imparting education and training to ensure emergence of competent first generation entrepreneurs, transition of family businesses into growth oriented enterprises, entrepreneurial solutions to social problems, and livelihood options for marginal sections of society.
EDII offers following 2 academic PGDM programs:
Post Graduate Diploma in Management- Business Entrepreneurship: AICTE approved two year full- time PGDM - Business Entrepreneurship offers specializations in New Venture Creation and Family Business Management.
Post Graduate Diploma in Management – Development Studies: PGDM-Development Studies is AICTE approved, 2 years full-time programme. It is specially designed to enhance leadership skills and competencies to develop and implement strategies that enable professionals to work in development sector organisations or set up their own social enterprises.
USPs of PGDM-BE include-
EDII Launchpad which offers co-working space and enables student entrepreneurs to work either individually or in teams and gain entrepreneurial experiences, understand the market pressures and demands in the early stage of their start-ups.
EDII Gurukul which provides mentoring and networking support to students and professionals who are passionate about starting new ventures.
Milestone Based Learning has been introduced to enable students in attaining stepping stones along their entrepreneurial journey. The students can undertake this while still pursuing the programme at EDII. Successful milestone bonus point achievers are offered seed funding for setting up new ventures.
Industry Verticals - with an aim to help students in exploring business opportunities in varied promising sectors about 20 Industry Verticals are offered under the program from which students can opt for any three. Leading practitioners from respective fields are invited for seminar sessions to conduct intensive sector specific knowledge sharing exercises which enable students in tapping exclusive, niche areas and also strengthen their networks.
USPs of PGDM – Development studies include-
-Focus on building a cadre of new generation development professionals with required knowledge, competence, orientation and values
-Building expertise for promotion of solutions in the areas of Microenterprise, Micro finance, Livelihood promotion, Women entrepreneurship, Group entrepreneurship, Social Entrepreneurship and Corporate Social Responsibility
-Offering rewarding careers around overall economic development with inclusive growth; Sustainable and environment friendly solutions; Governance; Use of technology for development
Apart from PGDM, which other programs are offered by EDII for fresh graduates?
Apart from two full time PGDM programs and distance learning programme in entrepreneurship the Institute also offers short duration skill honing programs.
How good are careers and placements at EDII after completion of the PGDM? How successful have been the students of EDII in their career journey?
EDII’s PGDM- Business Entrepreneurship program aims to create first generation entrepreneurs, growth drivers of family businesses and intrapreneurs or enterprising managers. It develops students to continuously analyze opportunities and take initiatives based on calculated risks to seize them with confidence. They are groomed for creating, developing and nurturing an enterprise.
The success rate of the program can be inferred from the fact that 78 percent of PGDM-Business Entrepreneurship alumni have opted for entrepreneurial careers. They have either charted growth paths for their family businesses or have created new ventures in varied fields including manufacturing, trading and service sectors.EDII alumni with their intrapreneurial skills have reached at senior positions in reputed organizations such as Kotak Securities, Plum Slice Labs, Patni Computers (iGATE), Eco Lab, Donear India Limited, DS Group, AC Nielson, Standard Chartered Bank and similar others.
The PGDM- Development Studies program has 100% placement in development sector organizations. Our PGDM-Development Studies alumni are well placed across reputed national and international organisations including the World Bank, Friends of Women's World Banking (FWWB), National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Azim Premji Foundation, Annapurna Microfinance, Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), UN Organizations, Selco India, Kutch Mahila Vikas Sangathan, Start-Up Village Entrepreneurship Program, Sense International India, Jaipur Rugs, Lupin Foundation, National Innovation Foundation, Adani Foundation, World Wildlife Fund(WWF), Saath Charitable Trust, Utthan, Care India, Jharkhand Skill Development Mission, Chetna, Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN), Unnati, Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company (GLPC), State mission units of NRLM and similar others.
You have recently taken over as Director of EDII. What is your vision for the B-school?
A critical appreciation of entrepreneurship landscape in India is a must. Although the entrepreneurial fervour in India has demonstrated an upsurge since economic liberalization in early 1990s, entrepreneurship as a career still has ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ attached to it. When pitted against the conventional streams, there still remains ample scope for prodding, to orient the younger generation towards entrepreneurship. With the present government’s focus on entrepreneurship and skilled work force, the phenomenon of entrepreneurship will certainly get a boost.
The launch of CrAdLE (Business Incubator) in our campus will further spur the start-up movement. Also, research is emphasized whereby we can explore areas that need to be delved into for entrepreneurship development. As the Nodal Agency for Govt. of Gujarat, the Institute also looks forth to recommend innovative promising and sustainable ideas for funding.
Who is an ideal candidate for admission to EDII? / Is there any change in the admission process at EDII? How does EDII choose the right candidate?
The Institute looks forth for graduates who have valid score(s) of CAT/ MAT/ XAT/ ATMA/ CMAT. Individuals equipped with entrepreneurial orientation are right candidates for PGDM-Business Entrepreneurship program while those who are keen to address social and development sector issues are suitable for PGDM-Development Studies.
All eligible candidates of PGDM-Business Entrepreneurship are called for Entrepreneurial Aptitude Test followed by Group Discussion and Personal Interview. And those for PGDM-Development Studies are called for Social Awareness test followed by Group Discussion and Personal Interview. Candidates are selected based on their overall performance.
In last one year what have been the key achievements of EDII?
A landmark achievement has been the setting up of CrAdLE which I believe would ensure that more technology based start-ups come into the mainstream.
In keeping with the mission of Skilled India, Prosperous India, EDII carried out Skill Development Programmes wherein it trained youths and women in different trades in Karnali Group Panchayat, besides training people associated with the Gujarat Tourism Sector to strengthen the sector.
EDII has been leading the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) India Survey. Since 2012 it has been the Lead Institution for GEM India Consortium. Global Entrepreneurship Monitor is the most prestigious entrepreneurial survey in the World. GEM India Report 2015-16 will be published soon.
The Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme was launched at the national level and it envisages creation of sustainable self-employment opportunities for a large number of rural youth, thus enabling them to engage with the market and generate wealth locally.
‘Skills to Succeed 2020 Goal’ is a project under which EDII is organizing Micro Enterprise Development Programmes (MEDPs) in five southern states of the country to develop micro entrepreneurs among the rural youth.
The Institute has contributed in drafting AICTE Start-up Policy 2016, the Students Start-up Policy for AICTE. This will promote entrepreneurship among youth.
What is your message to the candidates seeking admission to EDII?
To all wannabe entrepreneurs I would say: “Let your dreams soar and see what others are unable to see. But before taking the plunge, be prepared. See that you have an ethical business mindset, knowledge and competencies of an entrepreneur; and EDII is always there for you. The PGDM-Business Entrepreneurship ensures that before the end of two years you are ready with a bankable project report. The program extends the necessary follow-up and support to ensure that students are transformed into entrepreneurs or enterprising managers. Similarly, students of Family Business Management are ready with a Five Year Perspective Growth Plan. So the students are prepared in every way to be successful as entrepreneurs.’ So if entrepreneurship is your passion, go for it.
Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates on EDII Ahmedabad
