In a landmark event that reflects the growing collaborative spirit between India and Spain, Vadodara-based PU had the distinguished honor of hosting Her Excellency Begoña Gómez and esteemed delegates from the Spanish government. Her Excellency Begoña Gómez, who is also the wife of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, is on a tour of India, including Gujarat, as a part of the delegation hosted by our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modiji. During her visit, she engaged with 12 innovative student-led startups of the university, toured the university’s incubation hub, and interacted with the dignitaries of the university - getting a glimpse into and understanding the startup ecosystem and entrepreneurship networking of Gujarat.

PU, which remains committed to the growth of the startup ecosystem of Gujarat and India at large through its robust entrepreneurship network and the facilities it provides to the students, was selected out of all incubation centers of Gujarat by the Ministry of External Affairs of Spain. This selection is a testament to the efforts and focus of the university in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship - which reflects in the Rank 11-50 in Innovation conferred by the NIRF Ranking 2024 - surpassing prominent institutions such as IITs, IIMs, and other business schools in the country. The university has also been conferred with 4/4 star rating by the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell, GoI for 3 three consecutive years.

During her visit, Her Excellency took a tour of the incubation center, which provides aspiring entrepreneurs with mentorship, funding opportunities, and market launch essentials that are important for the launch of successful startups. The incubation center, a part of Parul Innovation & Entrepreneurship Research Center (PIERC), has launched more than 200+ student-led startups and brought them to remarkable success. The center also stands as the true testament to the university’s vision of developing an ecosystem where innovation thrives.

Her visit included an interaction with the founders and co-founders of 12 innovation student-led startups; Galanto Innovations, Medref Healthbridge, Yield Earth Pro Pvt. Ltd., Dr. Cardio, Dori Handicrafts, PlanPact Innovations Pvt. Ltd., Cligent, Vcare Ostomy, CareKali, Indiesemic Pvt. Ltd., Ecorrect Pvt. Ltd. and CareBotech - representing the entrepreneur ventures across a diverse array of sectors, including technology, healthcare, sustainable energy, agriculture, and more. The university also has its Startup Accelerator Centres spread across the prominent cities in Gujarat - including Ahmedabad, Rajkot, and Surat.

Through her interactions with the students and incubation mentors, Her Excellency gained insights into the unique approaches adopted by these student startups that aim to address global issues, from eco-friendly agricultural solutions to groundbreaking health tech innovations. Her discussions with young entrepreneurs revealed both the hurdles and triumphs these student ventures experience, enriching her understanding of the challenges facing startups in emerging economies. During her keynote interaction, she said, “You are doing an incredible job in the field of Entrepreneurship and Innovation through the incubation center. The focus on Social Innovation is particularly inspiring, as it addresses urgent global challenges. Your presentation was exceptional, and I’m thrilled to engage with such passionate young innovators. Entrepreneurship is truly the need of the hour which can solve many major global problems.”

Her Excellency’s interactions were a testament to PU's commitment to fostering an environment where creativity, knowledge, and business growth flourish. She was warmly welcomed by Parul University's esteemed leadership, including Dr. Devanshu Patel, President of Parul University, and a host of deans, faculty members, and students from across the university’s extensive range of programs. Dr. Devanshu Patel, was quoted saying, “It is a moment of immense pride for PU to be recognized on a global scale. Her Excellency’s visit has strengthened our resolve to support our students in their pursuit of entrepreneurial excellence. This interaction has definitely opened doors for collaborative endeavors with Spain in the future.” Students also performed cultural dance and music performances showcasing the vibrant and diverse cultural heritage of India and giving a warm welcome to the esteemed delegates from the government of Spain.

Her Excellency’s visit coincided with the mutual aspirations of the university to expand the offerings of academic and startup exchange between India and Spain, a country whose entrepreneurial sector is thriving and rapidly growing. Mr. Jay Sudani, CEO of PIERC said, “Our vision at our incubation center is to cultivate an ecosystem where creativity, resilience, and impact-driven innovation can thrive. With interactions like today’s engagement with Her Excellency, we’re reminded of the immense potential in uniting diverse perspectives to shape a future where sustainability and innovation can coexist.”

PU’s steadfast commitment in providing students with opportunities for global exposure and partnerships is a response to the essential need of nurturing leaders of tomorrow who are prepared to make a difference on the global stage. As the city-based university continues to emerge as a beacon of innovation and entrepreneurial success, it looks forward to more innovative collaborations in the future that can inspire and bring about significant changes both on national and international platforms.