Lucknow: Promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening higher education and expanding opportunities for traditional industries such as Azamgarh’s famed black pottery were among the key themes discussed at the UP Dialogue programme held in the district on Sunday.Organised under the ‘Friends of UP’ initiative, the event, themed “Azamgarh Rising: Heritage, Education, Security and Economic Growth,” brought together experts to deliberate on the district’s development prospects and emerging economic opportunities.Addressing the gathering, Prof Sanjeev Kumar, vice-chancellor of Maharaja Suhel Dev University, said universities must move beyond conventional education and actively support innovation, startups and job creation. He highlighted the role of university innovation and incubation centres in helping students convert ideas into viable business ventures and employment-generating enterprises.Public policy and startup expert Omkar Rai urged young people to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset rather than relying solely on traditional employment. He said that better branding, marketing and digital market access could enhance the reach of traditional products, particularly Azamgarh’s renowned black pottery.Shashank Shekhar Singh, CEO of Adhyayan Foundation for Policy and Research, stressed the importance of awareness about government initiatives related to entrepreneurship, education and skill development.
