In a significant step towards strengthening entrepreneurship, innovation, and skill development in Assam, the Department of Business Administration, Gauhati University, and the Chief Minister’s Atmanirbhar Asom Abhijan (CMAAA) Society, Government of Assam, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Gauhati University.
The MoU was signed by Prof. Utpal Sarma, Registrar, Gauhati University, on behalf of the Department of Business Administration, Gauhati University, and Shri Santanu Deuri, Joint Director (TS), Industries, Commerce and Public Enterprises Department, Government of Assam, on behalf of the CMAAA Society. The signing ceremony was held in the gracious presence of Prof. Nani Gopal mahanta, the Vice-Chancellor, Gauhati University, who described the collaboration as a landmark initiative that reinforces the University’s commitment to academic excellence with direct societal and economic impact. He explained that the programme represents an innovative work-linked educational model that bridges academic knowledge with practical enterprise development. By equipping CM Fellows with professional competencies in mentoring, business development, and enterprise management, the initiative aims to strengthen the State’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and enhance the capacity of micro and small enterprises.
Present on the occasion were Prof. Monoshree Mahanta, Head, Department of Business Administration; Dr. Samir Sarkar, Associate Professor and Academic Coordinator of the CMAAA Programme at Gauhati University; Shri Chandan Talukdar, Treasurer, Gauhati University; and Dr. Mrinal Jyoti Deka, Secretary to the Vice Chancellor and Public Relations Officer, along with officials from the University and the CMAAA Society. The collaboration aims to create a robust institutional framework for nurturing entrepreneurship by integrating academic learning with field-based enterprise development. Under the MoU, the Department of Business Administration will continue to implement the two-year work-linked Post Graduate Diploma in New Venture Development and Management for 130 CM Fellows sponsored by the Government of Assam. The programme combines classroom learning, case-based pedagogy, continuous mentoring, and extensive field engagement with entrepreneurs across the State.
Dr. Sarkar, who coordinated the MoU signing ceremony on behalf of Gauhati University, presented a comprehensive overview of the objectives and vision of the Chief Minister’s Atmanirbhar Asom Abhijan (CMAAA) Programme. He further highlighted that the programme would play a crucial role in employment generation, strengthening the MSME sector, fostering innovation, and advancing the vision of an Atmanirbhar Assam.
The partnership also envisages the development of a unique academic ecosystem for entrepreneurship through the preparation of real-life case studies, curriculum development, and the establishment of a dedicated Research and Development Centre on MSMEs in the Department of Business Administration. The initiative is expected to strengthen research, policy support, and capacity building in the areas of innovation, enterprise creation, and small business development.
Speaking on the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor appreciated the collaborative efforts of the Government of Assam and the Department of Business Administration in designing an academically rigorous and practice-oriented programme that aligns with the vision of an Atmanirbhar Assam. He expressed confidence that the partnership would serve as a model for meaningful university-government collaboration, producing skilled professionals capable of mentoring entrepreneurs and contributing to sustainable economic development.
The MoU also provides a comprehensive framework for academic delivery, mentoring, periodic review, evaluation, knowledge creation, intellectual property management, and institutional cooperation, thereby ensuring the long-term sustainability of the programme and its outcomes.
The signing of the MoU marks the beginning of a long-term strategic partnership between Gauhati University and the CMAAA Society, reaffirming their shared commitment to promoting entrepreneurship, innovation, research, and inclusive economic growth in Assam.
