University of Jammu Organises Workshop on Lean Canvas for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Jammu, September 25: The Department of Economics, University of Jammu, organised a one-day workshop on “Lean Canvas: A Tool for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Management”, aimed at equipping students and research scholars with practical tools to transform innovative ideas and locally available economic opportunities into viable and testable entrepreneurial ventures.

The workshop focused on fostering an entrepreneurial approach among students by demonstrating how innovative ideas can be systematically converted into workable business models. Through practical exercises, participants were introduced to techniques for identifying customer problems, developing business hypotheses, testing assumptions and obtaining feedback before committing resources to a new venture.

A key feature of the workshop was its emphasis on linking entrepreneurship with the regional economy. Participants were encouraged to explore entrepreneurial opportunities emerging from local markets, hill produce, traditional livelihoods and community-based enterprises. The exercise sought to demonstrate how locally available resources and knowledge can serve as the foundation for innovative enterprises when supported by systematic market analysis and appropriate business planning.

Prof. Suparan Sharma, Former Dean, College of Management, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, was the Resource Person. Delivering the keynote sessions, Prof. Sharma explained the Lean Canvas framework step-by-step and highlighted its relevance for entrepreneurs, researchers and students seeking to assess the feasibility of new ideas.

Taking participants through the various components of the Lean Canvas, she explained how entrepreneurs can identify the problems they seek to address, define target customers, formulate value propositions, identify appropriate channels and revenue streams, and assess costs and other critical business assumptions. The theoretical discussions were complemented by hands-on canvas-building exercises, with participants working in teams to develop their own business models.

The exercise was followed by team presentations, during which participants presented their proposed business ideas and received expert feedback and critical evaluation. The interactive format enabled participants to move beyond conventional classroom learning and engage directly with the process of entrepreneurial problem-solving.

Earlier, Welcoming the Resource Person and participants, Prof. Sunita Sharma, Head, Department of Economics, underscored the importance of integrating innovation, entrepreneurship and skill development into higher education. She said that universities have an important role in creating an ecosystem where students can transform knowledge and research ideas into socially and economically relevant initiatives.

Prof. Sunita Sharma also expressed gratitude to Prof. Umesh Rai, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, for his encouragement and support for initiatives aimed at promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and experiential learning among students.

In his concluding remarks, Prof. Falendra Sudan, Department of Economics, appreciated the initiative of the Department and emphasised the growing importance of entrepreneurial thinking and innovation management in higher education. He observed that exposure to practical tools such as the Lean Canvas can help students develop the ability to identify opportunities, assess risks and approach economic problems from an innovative perspective.

The workshop brought together faculty members, research scholars and students of the Department and provided a platform for interaction, experimentation and exchange of ideas. Among those present were Prof. Jasbir Singh, Prof. Dipankar Sen Gupta, Prof. Falendra Sudan, Prof. Prakash Chand Antahal, Prof. Virender Koundal, Prof. Manoj Bhatt and Dr. Tsering Yangzom, besides research scholars and students of the Department.

The workshop concluded with a formal vote of thanks proposed by Prof. Shallu Sehgal, Coordinator of the workshop, who expressed gratitude to the Resource Person, university authorities, faculty members and participants for their support and active engagement.

The workshop marked an effort by the Department of Economics to strengthen the link between academic learning, innovation and entrepreneurship, while encouraging students to explore economic opportunities within their own communities and regional environment through a structured and problem-solving approach.