Mysuru:  Christ College, Mysuru, recently hosted a three-day Industry-Academia Meet titled CONNECT 2K25 – The Big Leap: Dive into Startup.

Organised by the college’s Placement Cell in collaboration with the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), the event — open to students of Christ College and other colleges too — aimed to foster entrepreneurial thinking and promote a vibrant startup culture among students.

Prof. N. Nagaraj, Registrar (Evaluation), University of Mysore, inaugurated the event alongside Rev. Fr. Jinto Jose, Principal of Christ College, S. Shilpa, Placement Officer and  Kevin Johnson, Student Coordinator.

In his address, Prof. Nagaraj stressed the importance of becoming truly educated, not just literate, highlighting the need to acquire practical skills in tandem with academic knowledge.

Rev. Fr. Jinto Jose, presiding over the ceremony, emphasised the significance of nurturing innovation and entrepreneurial spirit in academic environments. He commended the Placement Committee for organising the event and encouraged students to aspire to become job providers rather than job seekers.

C.S. Nikhil, Proprietor of World of Mysore Pak, delivered a session titled “Failure is the Stepping Stone for Success,” urging students to view setbacks as integral parts of the entrepreneurial journey. He shared personal experiences, illustrating how failures shaped his success.

M.R. Sudheendra, Business Head of Bhavishya Academy, Mysuru, spoke on “Successful Startup Stories.” Drawing from real-world examples of ventures like Ola, Hoovu Fresh and State Plate, he offered valuable lessons on navigating the startup ecosystem. An Inter-Departmental Ideathon provided students with a dynamic platform to pitch innovative ideas.

Moderated by M.R. Sudheendra and Archana, Proprietor of Cucina Fresca, the Ideathon showcased the students’ creativity and entrepreneurial potential.

With engaging speakers and interactive events, CONNECT 2K25 proved to be a significant initiative in bridging the gap between academia and industry, igniting a passion for innovation and entrepreneurship among students.