Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh — Universities and higher educational institutions must evolve into open enterprise platforms for entrepreneurs, farmers and young innovators if India is to move towards full employment, Dr Omkar Rai, former Director General of the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) and Ex-Executive Chairman of Startup Odisha, said on Wednesday.
Rai was speaking at an international seminar-cum-workshop titled “Role of educational institutions in building a fully employed India”, held at Harioudh Kala Kendra in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh.
“There must be a clear reason for entrepreneurs, farmers and young startups to come to universities,” Rai said. “When they do, institutions should provide comprehensive support including branding, technology access, promotion, cataloguing and expert guidance.”
The two-day event, held on January 22 and 23, was organised jointly by academic, research and social institutions under the GYAN framework, which focuses on empowering the poor, youth, food providers and women through education-led entrepreneurship.
The programme brought together policymakers, educationists, technologists and industry leaders from India and abroad, including representatives from agricultural research bodies, universities and innovation ecosystems.
Rai said educational institutions could play a key role in regional development by acting as localised centres for innovation and enterprise creation, particularly in underserved regions such as Azamgarh and the wider Purvanchal belt.
“When universities become enablers of enterprise rather than only centres of instruction, the vision of a developed India begins to take shape,” he said.
The seminar examined how academic institutions can align curricula, infrastructure and industry engagement to support entrepreneurship and job creation, with technical sessions focusing on innovation, enterprise development and institutional collaboration.
Rai has played a prominent role in shaping India’s technology and startup ecosystem.
During his tenure as Director General of STPI, he oversaw efforts to decentralise the information technology and product startup ecosystem beyond major metropolitan centres, including the establishment of domain-focused centres of entrepreneurship in areas such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things and financial technology, aimed at supporting startups, research and industry collaboration in Tier II and Tier III cities.
Amplify focus on Purvanchal region
As Executive Chairman of Startup Odisha, he worked to expand the state’s startup ecosystem through incubation infrastructure, policy support and early-stage venture acceleration, contributing to growth in recognised startups, including women-led enterprises.
Over the past two years, the former bureaucrat has also increased his focus on the Purvanchal region of eastern Uttar Pradesh, an area characterised by lower per capita income, limited industrialisation and high dependence on agriculture, despite a large and growing youth population.
His recent engagement has centred on encouraging institutional reforms, supporting local startups and promoting the use of technology in public service delivery, with an emphasis on employment generation and broader economic participation.
