A lecture on "Innovation and Entrepreneurship" was delivered by Ms. Priyanka Grover - COO & Director - Pratian Technologies. Talking about importance of Innovation and Entrepreneurship during the current crisis situation, Ms. Grover stated that every time the world is faced with crisis or war like situation, disruptive start-ups emerge and entrepreneurs are born. She also averred her passion for healthcare and how Covid has given an opportunity for people to think about holistic healthcare. The need for innovation was also elaborated upon and shared that when one wants career growth to happen, innovation is important. “Creating something new which is of high value and a new approach to problems, needs, challenges and requirements is called innovation. For instances covid crisis has pushed people in the education sphere to explore something new to conduct classes online and connect with students,” said Ms. Grover. She further added that innovation has triggered some players to grow and offer services catering to the requirement of the present times.
Ms Grover stated that the global start up success rate is 2%-3% with no market need being the topmost reason for this low success rate. The other reasons include the start-up running out of cash; user-unfriendly product; product without a business model and ignore customers. She also elaborated on the Design Thinking Framework involving five factors including Empathize; Define; Ideate; Prototype and Test.
"Impact on craft sector in current and post COVID scenario" by Mr. Sanchit Govil, COO & Co Founder - Lal10. The crisis caused by COVID-19 has resulted in a sudden disruption of business across the globe & the Indian economy is not immune to this pandemic. The hand loom & craft sector too has been severely affected as the traditional & contemporary markets for artisans was totally closed. Mr. Govil has been working with 1500 artisans spread across the country, handpicked by him to establish a strong market linkage and design language. He shared his story of the journey undertaken by him skilling the artisans to make their products better. He further stated that the sector is not as efficient technology wise and is still manually driven. Mr. Govil decided to work in this sphere and tap this opportunity. “On the supply side we work with the artisan community to add sustainability, help them in skilling and give them value proposition,” shared Mr. Govil.
A lecture by Mr. Cami Quinteros, Research Assistant and Graduate Instructor, The University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA was delivered on ‘The Challenges of Online Learning and Remote Professional Practice’. It was discussed how the online learning and remote working is bringing lot of opportunity but with pros and cons. “Online working and learning are coming up with new methods of representation. Earlier the word communication was only used for formal emails but now the world is developing with new normal. Entertainment, learning, selling or buying, social networking is also part of doing communication,” said Mr. Quinteros. He further added that the tools we have in our hand can be used to develop many things. Tools can be used to express what's there in our mind. Hand drawing can help this. There are many designs when we draw by hands look good but when we put on 3d model then it doesn't look good. Imagination should be use for putting the 3d design or making of it. Hand drawing are very different from computer drawings.
According to him, different designers have created different impact at some point of time and sometime they feel like researchers not architecture. But if we open our mind towards architecture, we will have different way of looking at things also. He also stressed on the fact that research is very important.
He advised students that due worldwide public emergency, they should be flexible. “We should try many different new ideas using our household things. Embrace this time also. We can use anything to make models and never restrict yourself and your work,” said Mr. Quinteros.