Bhide Foundation Accelerates Student Innovation with Start-Up Incubation Center and NEP-Aligned Initiatives

The Bhide Foundation, an affiliate of Shikshan Prasarak Mandali (S.P. Mandali), has been actively engaged in promoting research and innovation since 1997. Focused primarily on Ayurveda and Chemistry, the foundation supports students with their research dissertations and assists small-scale industries in developing new products. A key strength of the organization lies in the voluntary involvement of many distinguished scientists who offer mentorship to students.
In alignment with the objectives of the New Education Policy (NEP)-which emphasizes employability, creativity, and interdisciplinary learning-the foundation has initiated several innovative programs. These efforts are aimed at enhancing the skillsets of students and preparing them for real-world challenges.

Recognizing the foundation's contributions, S.P. Mandali allotted 2,500 sq. ft. of space within the S.P. College campus for the development of advanced laboratory facilities. Today, these labs specialize in Biology and Chemistry and serve not only academic purposes but also function as a hub for technology-based entrepreneurship. With this vision, the foundation launched a Start-Up Incubation Center to encourage school and college students to pursue entrepreneurial ventures based on scientific innovation.
The incubation center was officially inaugurated on Thursday, February 20, by internationally renowned scientist Dr. Mukund Chorghade, who highlighted the necessity of interdisciplinary research and pledged his full support to the initiative. The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Mr. S.K. Jain, Chairperson of the S.P. Mandali Governing Board, along with board members Mr. Kiran Shaligram and Mr. Sudhir Kalker. Mr. Rajendra Patwardhan, President of the Bhide Foundation, provided an overview of the foundation's journey, while Dr. Sucheta Gaikwad anchored the event.

As part of Science Week, the foundation hosted the "Sci-Innovate Fest," a science competition aimed at nurturing young talent. The event saw enthusiastic participation from 70 college students representing five institutions, and 93 school students from four schools. Entrepreneurs like Shivam Sharma (Ojasya Purifier) and Dr. Aniruddha Deshpande (Vivek Indigreen) reviewed student projects and provided valuable guidance. Additionally, renowned scientist Dr. Vijay Gadgil engaged with the students, emphasizing the development of a scientific mindset.
Further enriching the academic atmosphere, a special lecture by Padma Bhushan Dr. J.B. Joshi was organized on Friday, February 28, Indian Science Day at Devi Ramabai Auditorium. Dr. Joshi, who serves as Vice-Chancellor at ICT, Mumbai, delivered an insightful session on "Clean Energy Transition, Energy Options & Relevance of Nuclear Power." He also visited the foundation's laboratories to observe the ongoing work and developments.
The foundation continues to roll out academic programs in line with NEP guidelines and has built the infrastructure necessary to support student-led innovations. For more information, the public is encouraged to visit the official website www.bhidefoundation.org or call 8421479820 during office hours, as stated by the foundation's director, Dr. Prashant Duraphe.

Bhide Foundation Expands Its Vision with Upcoming Events and Industry Collaborations
Building on its commitment to innovation and research, Bhide Foundation is set to host a series of impactful events in the coming months. These include international conferences, research training courses, and on-the-job training modules aimed at bridging the gap between academia and industry. The foundation is also actively pursuing multiple industry tie-ups to provide students and young researchers with real-world exposure, mentorship, and opportunities for collaborative innovation. These initiatives are designed to foster interdisciplinary learning, enhance employability, and promote applied research. With a strong foundation in scientific excellence and a growing ecosystem for startups and student-led innovations, Bhide Foundation continues to emerge as a pioneering platform for next-generation researchers and entrepreneurs.

For more details about the upcoming programs and participation opportunities, visit www.bhidefoundation.org or contact 8421479820 during office hours.

SPM's Prin. B. V. Bhide Foundation for Research, Innovation and Incubation
1658, Sadashiv peth, Lokamanya nagar,
SP college campus, Pune 411030

At Bhide Foundation, our mission is to cultivate a strong research culture through specialized academic and training programs. We empower academia and start-ups by nurturing advanced research and analytical skills, while also extending analytical support to industries.
Our vision is to create a supportive environment and provide state-of-the-art infrastructure that enables students and early-stage researchers to explore untapped areas of scientific discovery.
We offer a range of services including extraction, isolation, purification, and characterization of food constituents and compounds from medicinal plants and herbal products, along with routine analytical work focused on quality and precision.

This release was published on openPR.