DEHRADUN, INDIA — Swami Rama Himalayan University (SRHU) celebrated National Startup Day 2026 with an inspiring showcase of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. The event, held on January 16, was organised by the Himalayan Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (HCIE) at SRHU, bringing together visionary university leaders, academicians, and budding entrepreneurs from Uttarakhand and USA.
The celebration commenced with a warm welcome from Dr Amjad Husain, Director of HCIE, who emphasised the university’s commitment to fostering a robust startup ecosystem. He welcomed Dr Rajendra Dobhal, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, SRHU, Dr Vijendra D. Chauhan, Director General (Academic Development), SRHU, and Mr Sudhir Nautiyal, Former Director, Industries, Government of Uttarakhand. Dr Amjad Husain also introduced two invited speakers, Ms Anita Sharma and Dr Sunil Saini, in his welcome note. Ms Sharma, Co-founder of Shine Avi Learning (New Jersey, USA), delivered a powerful session on “Pioneering Change in Autism Advocacy through Social Entrepreneurship.” She detailed how specialised education and social ventures can create a global impact for neurodivergent communities. Dr Saini, Director of the Cancer Care Research Centre at SRHU and Co-founder of SR Care Hive Pvt. Ltd., presented his entrepreneurial journey on “Building a Tech Platform for Elderly Care.” He highlighted the critical intersection of healthcare expertise and digital technology in addressing the needs of senior citizens.
Dr Rajendra Dobhal, Vice-Chancellor of SRHU, mentioned that the scope for university-led innovations is limitless if research is aligned with market needs. Dr Dobhal cited and appreciated the innovation ecosystem at Johns Hopkins University, USA, as a gold standard for institutional research and commercialisation and emphasised that SRHU, being a healthcare university, has the full potential to become a national hub of innovation and entrepreneurship in India. Dr Vijendra D. Chauhan, Director General of Academic Development, provided an overview of SRHU’s journey in developing its entrepreneurial ecosystem. He also appreciated the funding support SRHU is receiving from NITI Aayog for the establishment of the Atal Community Innovation Centre (ACIC).
The celebration concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Dr Amjad Husain, who expressed deep gratitude to Dr Dobhal, vice-chancellor, SRHU, Dr Chauhan, DG Academic Development, SRHU, Mr Nautiyal, Former Director, Industries, all deans, directors, department heads, principals, and incubator team, as well as the coordination team of the event for their collaborative effort in making the event a grand success. He also thanked NITI Aayog, GoI, for the grant sanctioned under the Atal Community Innovation Centre (ACIC) scheme and Software Technology Park of India (STPI), MeitY, GoI, for another grant sanction to SRHU for the establishment of the Electropreneur Park Spoke Centre at SRHU.
Through National Startup Day 2026, SRHU reaffirms its position as a leading hub for nurturing the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs who are ready to lead innovative ideas and cutting-edge startups, solving real-world problems.
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