Assam Skill University Start Up Connect 2025

Assam Skill University (ASU), in collaboration with Assam Start-up, hosted the ‘ASU Start-up Connect’ at Assam Start-up-The Nest, Ambari on 18 July, 2025.

This flagship initiative aims to bridge academia and industry by bringing together key stakeholders to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and skill-driven opportunities across Assam’s growing start-up ecosystem.

The event was opened by Shapna Medhi, Assistant Professor, and witnessed the presence of Subhash Chandra Das, Vice Chancellor, Assam Skill University, Hanif Noorani, Registrar, Assam Skill University, Omkar Nath S Rath, COO, Assam Start-up, Ajit Kumar Sarma Baruah, founder, Bhogali Jalpan, Dr Arun Kumar Sarma, Director General, NECTAR, and Dr Manoj Kumar Deka, Academic Head, Assam Skill University.

In his keynote address, the Vice Chancellor expressed appreciation to the participating start-ups and emphasized that the initiative is a vital step in integrating industry exposure and innovation with academic learning.

“Bridging the gap between academia and industry is the need of the hour,” he noted, underscoring ASU’s commitment to practical, skill-based education.

Hanif Noorani, Registrar, ASU, highlighted that nearly 70% of ASU’s curriculum is designed to focus on experiential learning and hands-on skills. He emphasized the importance of nurturing individuality and entrepreneurial thinking in students from an early stage.

Omkar Nath S Rath, COO of Assam Start-up, shared that Assam has a rich potential to cultivate job creators and innovators. He expressed readiness to support the development of incubation centres within ASU, calling it a foundational step towards embedding an entrepreneurial ecosystem within academia.

A special felicitation was accorded to Ajit Kumar Sarma Baruah, founder of Bhogali Jalpan, who inspired the audience by recounting his journey of building a brand rooted in Assamese culture and market-driven research. His story offered a grounded reality-check on patience, purpose, and perseverance in entrepreneurship.

The session progressed with a presentation by Dr Manoj Kumar Deka, Academic Head, ASU, highlighting ASU’s current initiatives, research innovations, and future pathways. Over 20 start ups were introduced and felicitated during the event, including Khetiox, AppOpen, Ujudebug, StemCorp, Qoptars, Aicheng Innovation, Tholua Pratisthan, NE Crafters, Manxo, Finderbridge, Encamp Adventures, Travyvss, Kareng Technologies, NJD Technologies, Chayi Trails Pvt Ltd, Avkotransio Tech Pvt. Ltd, Drones Tech Lab, The Design Room, 3PALZ Smart Technologies Pvt Ltd., Olatus System Pvt. Ltd, and Jasmine Events and Entertainment.

The event concluded with an interactive roundtable discussion and idea exchange between academic leaders and start-up founders to encourage further engagement and collaboration.