Entrepreneurship

GIBS's Overall Educational Approach

• GIBS focuses on a blended/experiential learning model; a large portion of the class-time is utilized for practical exposure, fieldwork, projects of real-world issues, and interfacing with industry.
  The school offers a range of VAPs on modern business needs, such as digital marketing, AI & analytics, business analytics, design thinking, among others, that are especially targeted at keeping the student industry-ready and current with present business trends.
• There is also a strong emphasis on holistic development, not just academics. With additional components like its "Finishing School" programme for grooming, soft-skills, interview/placement preparation, communication, etc., GIBS aims at producing well-rounded graduates.
  GIBS claims to maintain industry collaborations, corporate linkages, internships, live projects, and industry-oriented curriculum updates — helping align management education with real-world business demands.

The IRE Program: Innovation, Research & Entrepreneurship

• A flagship of GIBS's approach is the IRE School, or "PGP-IRE / PGPIRE" program, embedded within its PGDM and BBA programs. Here's how it works and why it matters:
  What is IRE? IRE stands for Innovation, Research & Entrepreneurship. This is a structured certificate-level programme alongside the regular management curriculum.
  When & how delivered: For PGDM students, IRE sessions are conducted every Friday in the first three trimesters.
  Structure & Credits: The total IRE programme carries about 18 credits - covering innovation, research, and entrepreneurship streams.
• Learning style: instead of lectures, IRE uses action-learning methods such as workshops, labs (Innovation Lab, Research Lab, Entrepreneurship Lab), expert sessions, hands-on projects. Students will work in teams to generate ideas, validate concepts, plan business models, build prototypes/business plans, and essentially simulate the journey of a startup or entrepreneurial venture. Outcomes & Assessment: Students are assessed around real-time deliverables; for example, innovative ideas/concepts, research reports, prototypes, and business plans. At the end of the programme is the GIBS IRE Conference & Awards, where teams present their ideas/business plans to a jury. Entrepreneurial & Research Mindset: The IRE programme aims to inculcate an entrepreneurial mindset, design thinking, problem-solving, research-orientation, collaboration, and real-world business understanding-skills useful whether a student wants to create a venture or join industry.

Why This Approach Matters — What Students Gain

• Because of this educational design, the students at GIBS are not only being taught management theories but are:
• Exposed to real business challenges and opportunities through research, innovation labs, business-plan development, and live projects.
• Training in entrepreneurship and the thinking of startups helps them when they want to start up their own venture, instead of just looking for employment.
• Equipped to meet contemporary demands on businesses through analytics, digital marketing, business analytics, AI/ML influence-through value-added electives.
• Equipped with soft skills, professionalism, and holistic personal development-through finishing school, mentorship, and corporate exposure-are crucial elements in employability and leadership.
• Opportunities provided to research, publish, or explore new business models and innovation are advantageous for those that would like to go beyond the standard corporate roles.

Yes. University College London does have enterprise and entrepreneurship support facilities for its students. Students have an opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial skills and startup ideas with the help of workshops and events hosted by experienced entrepreneurs. Those who are pursuing research-based courses have access to entrepreneurship training for doctoral students and early career researchers (SPERO), which consists of 5 workshops for MRes and doctoral students. The University also provides for a Hatchery startup incubator that is a dedicated startup space. Students can have access to all the facilities of BaseKX, a dedicated mentor, monthly meetings with an experienced entrepreneurship advisor, office hours with lawyers, accountants and expert facilitators, networking opportunities with angel investors and venture capitalists, etc. The University does a brilliant job of providing entrepreneurial support.

Yes, Chandigarh University provides strong guidance for freelancing and entrepreneurship for fashion students. The Bachelor of Design programme encourages students to explore their own creative ideas and gives them opportunities through workshops, live projects, and industry collaborations. Faculty members help students develop professional portfolios, understand market needs, and create branding strategies. Chandigarh University also organizes sessions on business planning, digital marketing, and fashion branding, which are useful for freelancers and entrepreneurs. Students can participate in fashion exhibitions and competitions, giving them exposure and networking opportunities. This combination of design knowledge and business guidance makes it easier for graduates to start their own ventures or work independently as fashion designers, stylists, or content creators.