Faculty Mentor Development Programme: Goa Sparks New Energy
Newz Daddy Educational Updates
A major step towards strengthening Goa’s start-up and innovation culture began as the Faculty Mentor Development Programme (FMDP) under the Goa Mukhyamantri Swayam Rojgar Yojana (MSRY) started at the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad. The programme aims to train faculty members so they can guide and inspire young entrepreneurs across Goa. With more young people looking for self-employment and new business ideas, the effort comes at the right time and supports India’s growing focus on entrepreneurship-led development.
The Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India set up its Goa Centre on 12 March 2024. This happened after discussions between the Chief Ministers of Goa and Gujarat, Dr Pramod Sawant and Shri Bhupendra Patel. They agreed that Goa needed stronger support systems for start-ups, small businesses and youth-led ventures. Goa has been working to grow its innovation ecosystem through better training, skill-building and access to support networks. The Centre was established with the help of EDC Limited, Goa, a major organisation that supports entrepreneurs and local businesses in the state.
Recently, the Goa Government launched the Mukhyamantri Swayam Rojgar Yojana (MSRY). This flagship scheme aims to make Goa’s economy more vibrant, inclusive and future-ready. The scheme supports new entrepreneurs with training, mentoring and opportunities to develop their business ideas. EDC Limited is leading the scheme with EDII as a key partner, and it operates under the Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce (DITC). The DITC plays a major role in industrial policy and supports MSMEs and start-ups through financial help and guidance.
Under MSRY, EDII plans to create a strong entrepreneurship environment by conducting programmes that help young people understand business basics. It will offer training, mentoring and awareness drives across the state. With this goal, EDII has begun the first one-week residential Faculty Mentor Development Programme at its Ahmedabad campus. The aim is to build a large pool of trained faculty mentors in Goa’s colleges and institutes. Across India, trained mentors have proven important in helping students turn ideas into working start-ups, and this programme follows the same approach.
Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant virtually inaugurated the FMDP. While speaking about MSRY, he said the scheme would play a key role in shaping Goa’s entrepreneurial future. Goa has seen steady growth in tourism, services and local crafts, but the government now wants to push innovation, digital skills and start-ups as major engines of growth. The Chief Minister added that EDII and EDC Limited will help create an ecosystem where young people can start businesses with confidence. He called the first FMDP a landmark step for Goa.
The event was also attended by senior officials from Goa’s higher education sector. Shri Bhushan K. Savaikar, Director of the Directorate of Higher Education (DHE) and the Directorate of Technical Education (DTE), praised EDII’s efforts. He said the programme would create a trained group of educators who can help and guide aspiring entrepreneurs. Goa has many students in professional and technical colleges, and strong mentoring will help them understand opportunities in new sectors, including digital services, green technology and tourism-based innovation.
Dr Niyam Marchon, Programme Director at the Directorate of Higher Education, said the programme would build essential skills among faculty members. He explained that mentors need exposure and tools so they can help students develop workable ideas. Goa has been encouraging innovation clubs, start-up cells and incubation centres in colleges. This FMDP supports such initiatives by giving teachers practical knowledge and frameworks.
Dr Sunil Shukla, Director General of EDII, said the programme will help create a large network of educators who can spread entrepreneurial thinking. EDII has years of experience in designing and conducting entrepreneurship programmes across India. It has trained faculty, business owners and students in many states, and its work has helped create successful start-ups and strong community enterprises.
The ongoing FMDP has 40 faculty members from Goa. They are being trained to guide students on business ideas, planning, innovation, financial literacy and problem-solving. Many colleges in Goa are setting up entrepreneurship cells, and trained mentors will play an important role in these efforts.
The programme focuses on improving both teaching methods and practical mentoring skills. Sessions cover how to identify good business opportunities, how to support students during idea development and how to integrate entrepreneurship into classroom learning. With such training, the faculty members will be better prepared to support students and strengthen the start-up culture in Goa. This aligns with India’s larger vision of promoting self-reliance, youth-led innovation and job creation.
