Mentoring session & Exposure visit organised by BioNEST & E-YUVA Centre for the students 

Chandigarh, October 30, 2025: Bioincubators Nurturing Entrepreneurship for Scaling Technologies - Panjab University (BioNEST-PU), Chandigarh, today organised Mentoring session & Exposure visit for 35 students and 2 teachers from Government High School, Dadu Majra, under the Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025 initiative of the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
The session aimed to guide and mentor school teams in conceptualising, refining, and developing their innovative ideas and prototypes for submission under the national VBB initiative. It served as an important step in nurturing creativity, problem-solving, and scientific temper among young minds. As part of the program, students received detailed insights into the fundamentals and significance of Intellectual Property Rights and their vital role in research and innovation.
The session began with an engaging address by Prof. Rohit Sharma, Project Leader, BioNEST, who used real-life examples to illustrate the importance and relevance of IPR in today’s world. He emphasised how protecting intellectual creations not only encourages innovation but also contributes to the economic and social development of the nation. Prof. Sharma further highlighted the process of transforming ideas into valuable intellectual assets.
In her address, Dr. Shallu Goyal elaborated on the different types of intellectual properties, such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, and designs. She explained their significance and the need for safeguarding these creative works. Her talk motivated the students to think innovatively and to view their ideas as valuable contributions to society.
In addition, the event included an orientation on prototype development, where students were guided on how to convert their conceptual ideas into tangible models. The mentors shared tips on design thinking, problem identification, and practical approaches to innovation, encouraging students to think critically and creatively. Mentors also focused on skill development, encouraging students to build practical abilities and enhance their competencies to succeed in today’s competitive and fast-changing world.
Following the interactive session, the students were given a guided tour of the laboratories of the incubation and pre-incubation facility at PU, where they interacted with the entire team of BioNEST and the E-YUVA Centre. The exposure to advanced scientific instrumentation and experimental procedures proved highly stimulating, sparking curiosity and enthusiasm among the participants. The program concluded with refreshments for the students and an open discussion, during which students shared their learning experiences and interacted freely. 
BioNEST & E-YUVA Centre, Panjab University, Chandigarh has been identified as one of the mentors, under the Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025 and continues to play a proactive and mentoring role in shaping the next generation of innovators.