Bhupendra Patel inaugurated a series of major initiatives at Gujarat University aimed at strengthening innovation, entrepreneurship, and women-led development in the state. The event marked the opening of a new Research Park, the launch of the fifth edition of the herSTART programme, and the naming of the university’s convention centre as Vidyagauri Nilkanth Sabhapuram.
Addressing students, researchers, and entrepreneurs, Patel reiterated that India is advancing with the vision of “Women-Led Development” championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said Gujarat is determined to empower women by providing them with opportunities in startups, emerging technologies, and innovation-driven enterprises.
Convention Centre Named After Vidyagauri Nilkanth
One of the highlights of the event was the official naming of the Gujarat University Convention Centre as Vidyagauri Nilkanth Sabhapuram, in honour of Vidyagauri Nilkanth.
Patel praised the university for recognising Nilkanth’s remarkable contribution to women’s education. As the first woman graduate from Gujarat, she played a pioneering role in encouraging women to pursue higher education and leadership roles at a time when opportunities for women were extremely limited.
The Chief Minister noted that honouring such figures helps inspire future generations of students, particularly young women, to achieve academic and professional excellence.
Research Park to Strengthen Innovation Ecosystem
Patel also inaugurated the newly built Research Park at Gujarat University, which is expected to become a major centre for collaboration between academia, industry, and startups.
The facility has been designed to provide a platform where students, scientists, entrepreneurs, and technology companies can work together to develop innovative solutions and commercialize research.
According to officials, the research park will support activities such as technology development, startup incubation, and research partnerships with industry. The initiative is expected to boost Gujarat’s innovation ecosystem and promote the commercialization of academic research.
Fifth Edition of herSTART Programme Launched
The Chief Minister also launched the fifth edition of herSTART, an initiative run by the Gujarat University Startup and Entrepreneurship Council to support women-led startups.
The programme provides a comprehensive support system for women entrepreneurs through incubation, mentorship, training, and market access opportunities. It aims to encourage women innovators to transform their ideas into scalable businesses.
Through herSTART, aspiring women entrepreneurs will receive guidance from industry experts, investors, and startup mentors while gaining exposure to emerging technologies and global markets.
Startup India Driving Entrepreneurial Growth
During his address, Patel credited the success of the country’s startup ecosystem to the Startup India initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He noted that India had fewer than 500 startups about a decade ago. Today, the number has grown dramatically to nearly two lakh startups across the country. A significant portion of these ventures are being led by women entrepreneurs.
Patel said India has also emerged as one of the leading countries in supporting and funding women-led startups, reflecting a growing shift toward inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship.
Semiconductor Sector Opening New Opportunities
Highlighting emerging technology sectors, the Chief Minister spoke about the opportunities being created in the semiconductor industry. He mentioned that the Prime Minister recently inaugurated a semiconductor plant in Sanand and that both Sanand and Dholera are expected to develop into major semiconductor hubs.
These developments are likely to generate significant employment opportunities for young professionals, including women.
Through herSTART, women entrepreneurs will also be encouraged to launch ventures in semiconductor-related fields such as chip design, fabrication management, semiconductor packaging, and deep-tech innovation.
Technology as a Tool for Nation-Building
Patel emphasised that technology should not be viewed only as a career option but as a mission for nation-building. He encouraged students and young innovators to explore emerging sectors and create startups that contribute to economic growth and technological advancement.
He also highlighted that the Gujarat government has allocated ₹45 crore under the Student Startup and Innovation Policy 2.0, aimed at strengthening the state’s startup ecosystem and supporting student-led ventures.
Women Entrepreneurs Honoured
On the occasion, the Chief Minister released a coffee table book documenting the achievements of the fourth edition of herSTART. Several successful women-led startups were also honoured for their innovative contributions and entrepreneurial achievements.
The event was attended by prominent dignitaries including Neerja Gupta, Piyush Patel, Dinesh Makwana, and Amit Shah, along with a large gathering of students, startup founders, and members of the academic community.
The initiatives launched during the event underline Gujarat’s commitment to building a robust innovation ecosystem while promoting women-led entrepreneurship and technology-driven development.