Tripura University and NEFIT entered into the partnership at the university’s 40th Foundation Day celebration in Agartala on October 2, with the five-year agreement designed to connect academic expertise with practical enterprise development, student training and livelihood-oriented initiatives across Tripura.
Key Takeaways:
- Tripura University and NEFIT signed a five-year MoU to expand entrepreneurship, skills, internships and enterprise development.
- The partnership proposes a Centre of Excellence for Entrepreneurship Development and Training at Tripura University.
- Bandhan Group Chairman Chandra Sekhar Ghosh announced an initial allocation of Rs. 10 crore for the proposed centre.
Tripura University has signed an MoU with the North East Financial Inclusion Trust (NEFIT) to strengthen industry–academia cooperation and create new opportunities in entrepreneurship, skill development, employability and livelihood promotion.
Partnership to Expand Skills and Enterprise Opportunities
The agreement establishes a long-term framework for cooperation between Tripura University and NEFIT.
The partnership will facilitate the exchange of human resources and academic expertise. It will also support training, research and other mutually agreed activities.
Student development forms a major part of the collaboration. The two institutions will work on apprenticeships, internships, entrepreneurship programmes and enterprise-support initiatives.
The partnership also covers skill-development workshops, boot camps and mentoring programmes. It will encourage student start-ups and other entrepreneurial initiatives.
Faculty development and capacity-building programmes will form another area of cooperation. The institutions will also explore joint research, impact assessment, monitoring and evaluation.
Conferences, seminars and outreach programmes will support wider knowledge-sharing. The partnership also includes livelihood promotion and financial-inclusion initiatives.
Proposed Centre of Excellence at Tripura University
A major component of the MoU is the proposed Centre of Excellence for Entrepreneurship Development and Training at Tripura University.
The proposed centre will provide an institutional platform for entrepreneurship education, training, incubation and enterprise development. It will also focus on capacity building.
Tripura University and NEFIT will jointly examine the centre’s scope and governance structure. They will also assess infrastructure, staffing, funding and long-term sustainability requirements.
These arrangements will remain subject to approval from the competent authorities.
The proposed centre could create a stronger bridge between classroom learning and enterprise development. Students and aspiring entrepreneurs could gain access to mentoring, training, incubation and practical exposure through the initiative.
NEFIT Brings Experience in Livelihood and Skill Development
NEFIT is a registered public charitable trust established in 2009 with corpus contributions from Bandhan Konnagar.
The trust serves as a promoter and shareholder of Bandhan Group entities. It has experience in enterprise development, livelihood promotion, skill development and apprenticeship.
NEFIT currently supports 130 informal foundation schools across Tripura. It is also establishing a new play school, Novo Kids, at its head office in Gokulnagar, Sepahijala.
The H.P. Ghosh Medical College, being developed under Bandhan Social Initiatives, is progressing at Lalchari in Ambassa, Dhalai district.
NEFIT’s registered office includes residential training facilities for up to 70 people. The facility has eight training halls and dining arrangements.
The centre currently conducts different skill-development programmes in collaboration with various stakeholders.
Rs. 10 Crore Initial Allocation Announced
The MoU was formalised during Tripura University’s 40th Foundation Day celebration at Maharaja Bir Bikram Shatabarshiki Bhawan.
The university held the celebration under the theme, “Four Decades in the Pursuit of Excellence.”
Tripura Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha, Higher Education Minister Kishore Barman, Tripura University Chancellor Ahmad Javed and Vice Chancellor Prof. Debabrata Das attended the programme.
Prof. Rajive Mohan Pant, Vice Chancellor of Assam University, and Prof. Rakesh Singhai, Vice Chancellor of Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore, also attended the event.
Bandhan Group Chairman Chandra Sekhar Ghosh announced an initial allocation of Rs. 10 crore for the proposed Centre of Excellence.
Prof. Jayanta Choudhury, Trustee and Board Member of NEFIT, also participated in the programme. Dr. Subhrangshu Sanyal, CEO, FIT, and Pratim Deb, State Head–Skills, accompanied him.
Choudhury described the partnership as an important opportunity to strengthen the role of higher education institutions in entrepreneurship and inclusive development.
Five-Year Framework for Cooperation
The MoU carries an initial validity of five years. The two institutions can extend the agreement through mutual consent.
The partnership seeks to build stronger links between higher education, industry, entrepreneurship and community development.
Joint research, internships, capacity building, enterprise development and livelihood-focused initiatives will form key elements of this approach.
The collaboration comes as universities face growing expectations to contribute beyond traditional knowledge creation. Innovation, entrepreneurship, employability and social transformation have become important areas of higher education engagement.
The Tripura University–NEFIT partnership aims to combine the university’s academic and research capabilities with NEFIT’s practical experience and institutional resources in development and financial inclusion.
The initiative is expected to create opportunities for students, researchers, aspiring entrepreneurs and communities in Tripura.
It also seeks to strengthen the state’s emerging entrepreneurial ecosystem by linking knowledge with enterprise, skills with opportunity and education with sustainable livelihood development.
