Campus Times | Lucknow 

Students of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) are getting a strong early exposure to the startup ecosystem through a structured internship program designed to build real-world skills in innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry-oriented roles.

As students increasingly look for career paths beyond traditional job roles, this initiative is offering them a practical gateway into startups and innovation-driven environments where ideas are shaped into real products and services.

The university, under the guidance of Vice Chancellor Prof. J.P. Pandey, has launched 1 to 3-month internships for students from affiliated institutes. The program began with an orientation session held on Thursday, marking the start of an immersive learning journey.

From idea to execution

B.Tech and MBA students selected for the internship are being placed across startups, incubation centers, innovation hubs, and AICTE IDEA Labs. The program allows them to work in diverse roles such as development, marketing, human resources, and startup operations.

Students engaged with incubation centers will gain insights into the complete lifecycle of a startup—from ideation to commercialization—helping them understand how businesses are built and scaled in real time.

At the innovation hub, interns are being introduced to policy management and frameworks related to innovation and entrepreneurship, giving them exposure to how supportive ecosystems for startups are created and managed.

Those working directly with startups will contribute to product-based tasks, gaining hands-on experience in building and improving real products. Meanwhile, students at AICTE IDEA Labs will focus on transforming ideas into working prototypes, strengthening their problem-solving and innovation skills.

The program is being conducted under the leadership of Dean Innovation Prof. B.N. Mishra, coordinated by Associate Dean Dr. Anuj Kumar Sharma, and managed operationally by Innovation Hub CEO Maheep Singh.

Building the next generation of innovators

With structured exposure to startups and innovation ecosystems, AKTU’s internship initiative aims to equip students with industry-ready skills and entrepreneurial thinking.

As the program unfolds over the coming weeks, it is expected to shape a new generation of students who are not just job seekers, but job creators ready to contribute to India’s growing startup economy.