Developing Enterprising Vision in IGNOU’s Women Students and Alumni (DEVI) Program

The National Centre for Innovation in Distance Education (NCIDE) at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is actively engaged in fostering its students and alumni towards Atmanirbhar Bharat through promoting, supporting and nurturing the students and alumni of IGNOU interested in setting up their own ventures. As highlighted in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2020 Report Women entrepreneurship is a cornerstone of economic growth, with women-owned businesses making substantial contributions to GDP.  In this context, NCIDE, IGNOU is excited to call for registration for a well-structured DEVI-program which can help IGNOU women students and alumni progress on their entrepreneurial journey. 

Who is Eligible to Participate?

The Program is open to all the Women Students and Alumni of IGNOU, who have an innovative idea and intend to launch a start-up/business, or have already running a venture / small scale business and wish to scale it up.

Why should you participate?

If you participate in the Program, you can look for the benefits like:

• Knowledge Sessions on how to run a small-scale business/venture, by experts from industry and academia.

• Receive Mentorship in hybrid mode (online/offline)

• An opportunity to network with community of women entrepreneurs and mentors

• The possibility of incubation and inputs for further progress of your idea/ venture/small scale business

• Pitch your idea/ venture/small scale business

• An E-Certificate of Participation

What is the duration of the program?

12 weeks

Mode

Hybrid (You may join online or offline at NCIDE, IGNOU, New Delhi)

What are the Key Steps of the Program?

The key steps of the program is as follows:

Step 1: Online application – you will have to complete the application in online mode as per the link for the form given herein: https://forms.gle/zAJf7sAFgP2VSjd1A

Step 2: The applications received will be evaluated by the panel of Experts.

Step 3: Shortlisted applications will be sent the confirmation of participation and will be onboarded into the DEVI program

Step 4: Roll-out of DEVI Program; sharing of important dates, program outline and other relevant information

Step 5: Implementation of the program; mentoring sessions and knowledge sessions; access to resources, spread over 12 weeks

Step 6: Demo day, where the participants will share their key learnings, progress made and how they plan to establish their venture / scale up their existing venture

Step 7: Issuance of E-Certificates by NCIDE

What are the Potential Sectors?

The program is expected to focus on the following potential sectors:

1.       Education

2.      Domestic household products and services

3.      Cosmetics

4.      Religious products

5.      Agriculture

6.      Food items / food processing

7.      Information Technology / computers

8.     Engineering

9.      Catering business

10.    Swachhata Initiatives/ Health Care & Hygiene

11.     Hospitality, Travel and Tourism

12.    Environmental issues and Waste Management

13.    Clean energy and alternative fuels

14.    Any Other

Will I Get a Certificate?

An E-Certificate of participation will be issued to the participants who attend the sessions (online/offline) and complete all the e-assessments. 

Interested women student and alumni of IGNOU having an innovative idea and intend to launch a start-up/business, or have already running a venture / small scale business and wish to scale it up can register through Google form with the link https://forms.gle/zAJf7sAFgP2VSjd1A

Last Date for registering for the DEVI Program: August 31st, 2025