Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship to be set up at NIT Raipur with Rs 71 crore investment

RAIPUR: National Institute of Technology (NIT) Raipur has received an endowment of Rs 71 crore towards the establishment of the Centre of Excellence for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Engineering & Technology (CoE-IEET).
The ambitious project is envisioned to transform NIT Raipur into a national hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, with the potential to drive economic development and nurture future-ready talent across the country.
Raamdeo Agrawal, chairman of the Motilal Oswal Foundation and a native of Chhattisgarh, has committed this generous contribution.
The proposal for CoE-IEET was prepared under the leadership of Dr Suresh K Haware, Chairman of the Board of Governors, NIT Raipur; Prof. N. V. Ramana Rao, Director of NIT Raipur; Raipur Collector Dr. Gaurav Kumar Singh; and Abinash Mishra, IAS.
It was presented on April 4, 2025, in Mumbai by Prof Samir Bajpai, Head of the Career Development Centre, and others from NIT Raipur. The proposal received an enthusiastic response from the foundation chairman, along with director Vedika Agrawal and CEO Maharshi Vaishnav.
The initiative is a result of a tripartite collaboration between the Foundation, NIT Raipur, and the Government of Chhattisgarh.
Raipur Collector and Dhamtari Collector Abinash Mishra both played a pivotal role in supporting the proposal since its early stages. The groundwork for the collaboration was laid during Agrawal’s visit to NIT Raipur on November 3, 2024.
Despite his global achievements, Agrawal has maintained a strong connection to his roots. His philanthropic gesture reflects not only a strategic vision for nation-building but also a deep sense of gratitude toward his home state.
The upcoming CoE-IEET is designed to become a world-class hub for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. It will focus on sectors crucial to Chhattisgarh’s economy, including mining, iron and steel, power, and process industries, while fostering cutting-edge talent and enabling industrial transformation.
Prof Ramana Rao said, “We are proud that Agrawal, the son of Chhattisgarh, has chosen to invest in the future of his homeland. His extraordinary contribution will empower a new generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders who will shape the future of both Chhattisgarh and India”.
Dhamtari Collector Abinash Mishra remarked, “This initiative marks a significant step toward nurturing a self-reliant and innovation-driven Chhattisgarh. We are committed to facilitating such transformative collaborations in alignment with the state’s vision of inclusive and sustainable development”.