Only 96 Universities register for MHRD 'Innovation Cell'; UGC asks others to register by November 20

NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 8: Out of over 900 Universities functioning in India, only 96 have so far registered for the Ministry of Human Resource Development’s (MHRD) Innovation Cell initiative. Looking at the poor response, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked all the universities join the Scheme and establish Cell in their campus.

The MHRD in August this year launched the Innovation cell initiative to systematically foster the culture of Innovation in all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across the country. As per the MHRD, the primary mandate of Innovation Cell (IC) is to encourage, inspire and nurture young students by exposing them to new ideas and processes resulting in innovative activities in their formative years fostered through Network of Innovation clubs in Higher Educational Institutions.

However, so far only 800 HEIs have registered for the initiative with only 96 universities joining it, with the majority of the institutions belonging to Engineering, Technology and other professionals streams.

The UGC Vice Chairman, Dr Bhushan Patwardhan in his letter to heads of universities has asked them to get their University registered by November 20.

As per the initiative MIC will prescribe a basic framework for the structure, formation, structure and smooth running of ICs and will soon share the list of different activities which ICs need to undertake for the entire academic year.