The first Centre for Diversity & Inclusion in India for underprivileged communities
IIM Jammu has setup the first “The Diversity Cell” in India in association with the Dalit India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) and Confederation of Indian Industries (CII). The Diversity Cell was inaugurated by then Hon'ble President of India,Shri Ramnath Kovind, on 9th June 2022, in the august presence of the Hon'ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Dr Jitendra Singh; Hon'ble Lt. Governor of U.T. of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha; Dr Milind Kamble, Chairman, BoG, IIM Jammu and other dignitaries. The Diversity Cell is now converted into a full-fledged "Centre for Diversity and Inclusion"
The Centre for Diversity & Inclusion at IIM Jammu aims to transform the lives of entrepreneurs from the SC & ST communities by offering them an avenue to realize their hopes and aspirations. The Centre for Diversity & Inclusion is being set up to improve the lives of underprivileged communities of the society by offering them a safe environment to explore and understand the nuances of entrepreneurship.
Keeping up with the tradition of uplifting the marginalized and promoting entrepreneurship among the youth, IIM Jammu, in association with the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), has started ‘Centre for Diversity & Inclusion ’ in the institute. The Centre for Diversity & Inclusion aims to promote entrepreneurship among the marginalized communities for their economic and social upliftment.
IIM Jammu, under its ‘Foundation for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Skill Development’ hosts Business Incubators both at Jammu and Srinagar Off-Campus. The incubators are workspaces created to offer start-ups and new companies access to the resources they need, under a single roof. Apart from physical office space, the centres provide the entrepreneurs with access to mentors, subject matter experts, training, potential investors, administrative support etc.
The Centre for Diversity & Inclusion will offer participants training, mentorship, and a conducive environment through IIM Jammu’s Incubation Centers. The advice, mentoring and opportunities the Centre for Diversity & Inclusion will provide participants will be essential in transforming their lives.
IIM Centre for Diversity & Inclusion will benefit from the institute’s existing state-of-art Business Incubator setup in providing incubation services to the marginalized segments of the society, apart from taking advantage of the various schemes launched by Government of India for these communities pertaining to marketing assistance, testing fee reimbursement, bank loan processing etc. The Centres will also tie-up with National SC-ST Hubs to leverage their strengths.
The Centre for Diversity & Inclusion will also tie-up with CSIR labs, NRDC and other similar government laboratories that have patents for products and are looking at entrepreneurs to commercialize the patent. Venture capitalists should give special attention to entrepreneurs from these communities, shortlisted from Diversity Cell, purely on merit, to help them grow and find their feet.
Our partners DICCI and CII help the Diversity Cell in mobilizing potential entrepreneurs from marginalized communities, jointly screening candidates, providing mentorship, market outreach, connecting to Ministries and departments in the government, autonomous bodies, industry players etc. to take advantage of various schemes, CSR funding and research.
