In its glorious years the crafts had flourished due to patronage rather than the entrepreneurial skills of individuals and craft communities. However, with substantial changes in social and business environments, new approaches to entrepreneurship are required to rejuvenate the crafts sector. New profiles of stakeholders, emerging and global markets, composition of craft value chain, contemporary role of enterprises in paradigms of resources and opportunities for Indian crafts suggest a strong need to rediscover the crafts entrepreneurship within changing local and global scenarios.
Creative entrepreneurship based on resources of the cultural heritage has emerged as a modern and specialised field. It incorporates design thinking, cutting-edge skills, contemporaneous market intelligence, new technology and planned inflow of capital as well as other resources. With advent of Internet medium and with the rise of service sector, the entrepreneurial initiatives in this sector have increased multifold in recent times. Understanding and managing such factors in integrated fashion requires training and experience. There is no reputed academic programme available in India that deals exclusively with the entrepreneurship in the crafts sector. With large crafts resources available in the region, UPID can take the lead in offering a structured program in this domain.
The programme in craft entrepreneurship is developed keeping in mind the influential role that entrepreneurial initiatives play in the craft ecosystem and for the inclinations of young graduates, diploma pass outs, professionals and the craftspeople. A full time senior faculty member shall lead the programme. Master craftspeople, experts from industry and academia shall be invited to conduct specific courses throughout the programme. It is suggested to start this programme with a batch of 15 students.The number could be increased to 30 over next three to five years. Successful completion of the programme shall result in awarding a diploma to the students. The programme will in due course strive to achieve recognition from the UP Board of Technical Education, Lucknow.
The classes shall be conducted at the UPID campus but students will have many field trips embedded in their assignments and projects. Need for specialized infrastructure and process knowhow to a specific craft may also require field visits.
A large number of creative people want to understand contemporary forms of craft entrepreneurship. The target audience for the Diploma in Craft Entrepreneurship programme shall be graduates, professional diploma holders with inclination for crafts business and the craftspeople. The programme will also be open for entrepreneurs and professionals with experience. This Post Graduate diploma shall help in developing competencies for self-employment in the heritage based creative industries. It will give sufficient time, resources and mentoring to the students so as to develop them as design entrepreneur needed for the crafts sector by the modern economy.
Other individuals who could benefit from this programme would be practicing craftspeople with pre-specified level of skills and age. If they have completed at least 12th standard they may be allowed to join the programme with the aim to enhance prospects for their business.
The 2-year programme is structured over four semesters. Each semester comprises a maximum of 20 weeks, out of which 19 weeks are devoted to classroom/studio/project learning and learning skills and one week is assigned for the semester evaluations. The programme is structured in such a manner so as to provide holistic and topic specific inputs in the areas of craft, craft industry, design, innovation, business and entrepreneurship. Conceptual foundations are matched with practical training to enable students to formulate and explore entrepreneurial ideas and opportunities as well as design and create new ventures. Here the focus shall be towards developing entrepreneurial abilities for the craft industry. The course will offer opportunity to create one’s own enterprise and help the participants to apply business theory to real world situations through active experimentation and teamwork.
The objective will be to provide both theoretical and practical inputs with a focus on developing an entrepreneurial attitude. Interactive learning will challenge the preconceived notions and perspectives. Learning experience will get enriched through simulation of ideas into business enterprise plans. It will provide opportunities for students and craftsperson to network together to bring in the sensitivity and appreciation of crafts.
The programme shall have a component of Design Clinic as well as Incubation i.e. specific problem-solving sessions along with live business case studies and inputs. Networking with different agencies is absolutely necessary for this programme. Hindi shall be the predominant medium of instructions.
UPID shall try maintaining student teacher ratio of 10:1 for this programme with the objective of giving proper attention to the students.
Primary aim of the Post Graduate diploma programme in Craft Entrepreneurship is to encourage design driven enterprises in areas of crafts and culture. The key objectives of this diploma programme shall be,
- To prepare professionally trained design entrepreneurs to develop the craft industry of Uttar Pradesh.
- To develop craft business successors as enterprising and knowledgeable owners of the business of their predecessors.
- To help craftspeople upgrade their skill, knowledge and entrepreneurial acumen.
- To provide a thorough understanding of crafts, crafts practices, processes and crafts industry.
- To provide inputs of design, design thinking, innovation and business to the students.
- To provide exposure to a range of entrepreneurial activities such as market research, idea generation, identifying opportunity areas, developing business plans, fund raising, management, etc.
- To provide a range of soft entrepreneurial skills such as risk taking, creative confidence, management etc.
Admissions to the Programme shall be flexible with an objective to promote entrepreneurship initiatives in the craft sector. The programme shall be open to graduates, professional diploma holders with an inclination for crafts business and the craftspeople. The programme will also be open to entrepreneurs and professionals with experience.
Other individuals who could benefit from this programme are practicing craftspeople with pre-specified level of skills and age. If they have completed at least 12th standard they may be allowed to join the programme with the aim to enhance prospects for their business.
Since this programme shall impact a larger section of society thus inviting applications through press advertisements is recommended for this programme. At least 20% seats could be reserved for practicing craftspeople. Nomination of craftspeople by the State government, eminent designers and non-government agencies shall be permitted.
Detailed eligibility criteria for admissions shall be laid out by the UPID and shall be reviewed from time to time.
Design entrepreneurship requires distinct traits and abilities.It calls for a high level of analytical skills, awareness pragmatic insights, resourcefulness and an aptitude for creative problem solving.
The admissions procedure shall therefore, appropriately test the applicants for their analytical abilities and cognitive skills. It should also assess their creativity, visualization and preception. The procedure should also test the student's awareness about the crafts sector, the business issues associated with the crafts sector and above all, their apitude for a career in crafts.
- A balance of theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
- Classroom lectures / demonstrations.
- Independent learning at the incubator / clinics / library.
- Field visits and Projects.
- Presentations.
- Group discussions.
- Peer group learning and collaborative assignments.
- Basic knowledge of design through hands-on work.
- Visiting faculty from the industry / crafts clusters.
- Continuous one-to-one feedback.
The Post Graduate diploma in Craft Entrepreneurship programme shall aim at providing good understanding of craft, design, innovation, entrepreneurship and management knowhow; at the same time bring in best of industry practices and entrepreneurial understanding to the classroom. The programme shall try to combine academic rigor with relevant industry practices throughout. Content of the programme shall be developed through research in short and long term needs, challenges and opportunities in the industry and markets. It shall provide deeper understanding of crafts and build linkages with design, technology, communication and entrepreneurship. The inputs shall encourage development of analytical and creative abilities of the students.
The courses shall be conducted in block timings as indicated in the programme flow chart. Both in-house as well as visiting faculty will teach different courses. Faculty shall mentor the students regularly. Use of presentations, demonstrations, field visits and participatory learning shall be promoted. Continuous and one-to- one feedback shall help students in improvising their skills and understanding.
Peer group learning shall be encouraged through group assignments and collaborative projects. Simultaneously, nurturing of new and individual ideas shall take place with help of the Incubator. The approach shall help in developing creative and entrepreneurial confidence amongst the students.
Entrepreneurship is the backbone of an economy. Craft entrepreneurship programme shall contribute to the setting up of new enterprises, growth and diversifications of existing craft business as well as provide sustainability to the entire craft ecosystem.
The craft entrepreneurs will be the ‘Prime Mover’— they would not only take risk of establishing a craft business but will also support other stake holders in the ecosystem. The graduates of this programme will have skills, knowledge and attitude essential for setting up and running of the craft based enterprises. They would understand how to grow an existing craft business (through product differentiation, diversification, business model innovations etc.). They shall try to bridge the gap between the traditional craft products and practices and the needs of contemporary national and international markets. The crafts entrepreneur shall be a techno-commercial professional having good understanding of several knowledge domains and exposure of best practices. The programme would help develop problem-solving abilities and creative thinking. In addition, the students will benefit in following ways,
- Understanding of entrepreneurial prospects and issues related to the Indian crafts.
- Ability to lead and manage people and resources in medium and small enterprises in the crafts sector.
- Knowledge of design and ability to use it as strategic tool in enterprise creation and its sustainability.
- Awareness of industry standards and global best practices.
- Ability to translate ideas into practical business plan.
- Understanding of innovation tools and techniques.
- Ability to adapt technology in creative ways.
- Knowledge of relevant areas such as management, economics, finance, accounting, marketing, operations, legal, statutory, IPR etc.
- A value based approach and attitude necessary to work in a team.
A series of Assignments in every course forms the basis of a concurrent evaluation model that is highly recommended in a Design education programme.
Assignments should continuously evaluate a student’s ability to apply theoretical learning into practice and ability to generate creative solutions, design strategies and business plans.
Throughout the semester, the faculty members are expected to give continuous feedback to the students and monitor their performance on a one-to-one basis through their assignments.
The two year Post Graduate Diploma Programme in Craft Entrepreneurship will be spread over four semesters. Each course will be graded through assessment of given assignments . The course teacher should do this evaluation. At the end of a semester, each student would be required to make a presentation of his/her work done during the semester before a jury panel. The panel having 3 members will grade the overall performance of the student during the semester.
The Summative Academic Performance Sheet will contain a student’s grade value in the courses attended during each of the semesters. The final average grade value will be determined by the average of the grade value scored in each of the six semesters.
The Final Diploma Jury will take place at the end of the forth semester to take stock of the student’s overall achievement. The jury will ideally comprise two faculty members of the UPID, one expert from the industry and one expert from any other management or entrepreneurship institute. The jury will evaluate the students on the following parameters:
- Overall learning achieved during the 2 years.
- Quality of work done, skills demonstrated and the variety of materials used during the course.
- The methodology followed as well as quality and originality of explorations.
- Quality of visual presentation.
- Usability of solutions generated for the crafts sector.
- Attitude and aptitude for learning.
The jury members will grade the student on a scale of 10 and the average of all four jury members will be taken as the Diploma Jury Grade Value. The final Diploma Grade will be arrived at on the basis of the average of the Final Average Grade Value and the Diploma Jury Grade Value.
Students who successfully complete the 2 year programme will be awarded Diploma in Crafts Design by the UPID
Design entrepreneurship requires distinct traits and abilities. It calls for a high level of analytical skills, awareness, pragmatic insights, resourcefulness and an aptitude for creative problem solving.
The admissions procedure shall, therefore, appropriately test the applicants for their analytical abilities and cognitive skills. It should also assess their creativity, visualization, and perception. In addition the procedure should test the student’s awareness about the crafts sector, the business issues associated with the crafts sector and above all, their aptitude for a career in crafts.
Initially a maximum of 15 students be enrolled for the 2-year Post Diploma Programme in Craft Entrepreneurship. Once the programme stabilises and necessary infrastructure is created, the number of seats could be raised to 30. Seats for SC/ST/OBC students will be reserved as per directives of the Central/State governments in effect.