FAQ
Question. With numerous management institutions mushrooming through out the country and an equally diverse range of unique courses being offered, quantity has never been a problem but, the quality has been. In such an educational scenario, what has been your main motive behind launching the unique ‘Edupreneurship’ program?
Answer. This is not an award of a qualification certifying knowledge about entrepreneurship. It is a program for creating behavioural change and make an entrepreneur. Because of my familiarity with the field, and because the field of education is undergoing very rapid fundamental transformation, the focus is on education and the program is called edupreneurship.
The quality of the program is very high, being led by myself as well as Prof. Rajiv Tandon from US, who has conducted courses on Entrepreneurship in US Universities and spawned a large number of successful ventures. We are joined in this effort of education venture catalysts by a number of very eminent personalities with IIT/IIM profiles.
Question. How do you define ‘Edupreneurship’? What are its unique features that set it apart from the rest?
Answer. For the purposes of this program, we define educational entreprene urship as the efforts of an innovator whose products and services may lead to the qualitative transformation—not merely a slight improvement—of the existing education system.
Question. What is the duration of this program?
Answer. The nominal duration of this program is 6 months. So the first batch starts in August and completes the program by January 2011. But like a Ph.D. degree program culminates in a thesis, this program leads to a ‘bound’ executable business proposal. Some persons may therefore need to take some more time, while some may be ready with their proposals, and may even find their ‘angels’ before 6 months.
Question. How much does the entire program cost?
Answer. The fee for the program is Rs 100,000/- exclusive of the mandatory taxes.
Question. What category of students will be most benefited by this program?
Answer. The land-scape of successful entrepreneurship is covered by mavericks, iconoclasts, drop-outs and misfits. So we have not kept any eligibility criteria. There is also a new category of successful executives who want to start on their own. Some persons feel miserable in bondage and long to be free. This program is about being prosperous while being free. So, budding entrepreneurs, family business next generation, NRI’s wanting to come back, in fact anyone who has this moment of ‘enlightenment’ that he must express himself or herself and realise the full potential. An MBA is not required, but is quite welcome.
Question. What are the eligibility criteria for getting registered for ‘edupreneurship’ program?
Answer. We have not kept any minimum eligibility criteria. Should have the legal ability to enter into contracts, and a personality that desires to do new things, has grit and determination, because entrepreneurship is not a path of roses. There are multiple challenges known and unknown. We do not emphasise a great knowledge of English, as we believe that knowing good English is a requirement for getting jobs with Companies which have English for internal communication. We believe that an entrepreneur has to be closer to his customers and must be creative and innovative. Interpreters and translators as well as technically qualified engineers are all available at a very modest cost. Passion, enthusiasm and commitment are priceless and the true competitive advantage. So, no MAT, no CAT just loads of energy.
Question. On completion of the program, do you award any degree or certificate?
Answer. We distinguish this program from a usual certificate, diploma or an MBA program. This is a motivational, inspirational and transformational program that apart from providing the knowledge, instruction and guidance in both the strands of education and entrepr eneurship, but would actually create edupreneurs.
We will of course give a certificate of participation, but more importantly, we are promoting the creation of “The Global edupreneur Forum” that will emerge in the future like FICCI, ASSOCHAM, CII or more closely like the NASSCOM. Those who complete this program will get an ‘Associate Membership’. This will be ahead of ‘Student Membership’ which will be open to all students interested in edupreneurship who are doing BBA, MBA or similar programs. Upon launching there venture, they will be upgraded to full Member status.