Shillong, Nov 21 – The Incubation and Enterprise Support Centre (IESC) under the aegis of IIM Shillong on Saturday signed a MoU with FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) with the underlying objectives of providing a nurturing, instructive and supportive environment for entrepreneurs during the critical stages of starting up a new business, and increasing the chance for a start-up to succeed, shorten the time and reduce the cost of establishing and growing its business.
The MoU was signed between Professor Sanjeeb Kakoty, chairperson of IESC on behalf of IIM Shillong and Jahnabi Phookan, national president of FICCI FLO.
Speaking about the work of FLO and its alignment with sustainable development goals, Ms. Phookan elaborated that FLO’s vision under her presidency was to focus on ensuring sustainable practices and creating sustainable livelihoods for the economic empowerment of women towards becoming sufficient job creators than just mere job seekers.
Stressing on the importance of women, particularly those in the northeastern part of India, in safeguarding the rich culture and traditions of the people, Professor Kakoty felt that women were also very much responsible for keeping alive the entrepreneurial nature and spirit emanating from the region.
“Therefore if transformation is to be witnessed in this part of the region it has to be women-led,†he remarked while expressing hope in the impact that the MoU and the mandated work can help achieve.
Shishir Bajoria, chairman of the Board of Governors, IIM Shillong expressed his confidence on the signing of agreement and felt that this initiative could be a defining moment in impacting firstly the region and then beyond, in line with the responsibility bestowed on this premier institute of national importance in the region.
“An Atmanirbhar ‘mahila’ (woman) can ensure an Atmanirbhar Bharat,†he concluded.
Director of IIM Shillong, Professor DP Goyal pointed out that the MoU was very much in line with the mission of the Institute to generate and disseminate knowledge in all aspects of management education for sustainable development and to develop innovative leaders with strong ethical values where one of the prime goal is to enhance skills, competencies, and decision taking abilities for practicing management professionals through continued education.
Sharing his thoughts on more than three decades of experience in the region, Atul Kulkarni, member, Board of Governors, IIM Shillong said, “The north east that we have been seeing for the past very few years is its new selfâ€.
He further shared on the recent initiatives of the Institute in understanding some of the key sectors of NER and was happy that the MoU could now serve as a catalyst to ascertain quicker growth results through well planned intervention, particularly for the women folk of the region.
“This new pact between two very influential organizations is just the right boost at the right time particularly for women entrepreneurs of the region,†Kulkarni said.
