New Delhi

Central University Jamia Millia Islamia’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship has launched a major skill-development initiative aimed at empowering women through leadership and entrepreneurship training.

The programme is being conducted under the Ministry of Minority Affairs’ Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme. Its objective is to equip women with leadership and entrepreneurial skills and help them achieve financial independence.

As part of the initiative, a 15-day, 60–80-hour course titled Leadership and Basic Entrepreneurship Development is being offered free of cost. Women enrolled in the programme will also be eligible for a stipend.

Under the scheme, JMI is offering three key courses: Leadership and Basic Entrepreneurship Development, Entrepreneurship Development Programme, and Business Mentorship and Correspondent Training.

The Leadership and Basic Entrepreneurship Development course is designed to nurture leadership qualities, self-confidence, and awareness of opportunities among women. The curriculum includes character building, women’s empowerment, gender sensitivity, financial inclusion, digital literacy, legal rights, disaster management, and life skills. Participants will also receive guidance on building connections with government agencies, banks, and other organisations to help them start their own ventures.

The second programme, the Entrepreneurship Development Programme, spans 120 hours and is aimed at women who demonstrate both the capability and the aspiration to establish their own businesses. The course offers training in business planning, organisational setup, marketing, financial management, legal compliance, and sustainable business practices, enabling participants to move towards self-employment.

The third course, Business Mentorship and Correspondent Training, is an advanced 240-hour programme. Selected participants will be trained as business mentors and community leaders who can guide other women entrepreneurs in establishing and expanding their businesses, as well as accessing financial resources. Participants will also be encouraged to pursue their own entrepreneurial activities and emerge as role models within their communities.

Eligibility Criteria

The courses are open to school and college dropouts from religious minority communities. In addition, women from other communities belonging to economically weaker sections or those with special needs are also eligible to apply.

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Jamia Millia Islamia has begun the registration process for the programme. Since admissions are being offered against limited seats, interested candidates are advised to register at the earliest to avail themselves of the opportunity.