Overview
SAGE University is pleased to present this formal proposal for the SAGE Summer School 2026, an intensive 10-day program thoughtfully designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and mindset required to thrive in today’s dynamic and rapidly evolving entrepreneurial landscape. The program aims to nurture innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities among participants, preparing them to confidently navigate real-world challenges.
This carefully curated program bridges academic theory with practical application through immersive sessions, hands-on workshops, and real-world simulations. Participants will gain exposure to key domains such as entrepreneurship development, design thinking, business strategy, leadership, and emerging technologies. The curriculum emphasizes experiential learning, enabling students to work on live projects, case studies, and collaborative assignments.
In addition, the Summer School will feature expert talks, mentorship sessions, and industry interactions, offering insightful perspectives on current market trends and professional practices. By the end of the program, students will develop a strong conceptual foundation and acquire practical competencies, enhanced communication skills, and an entrepreneurial mindset that will support their academic and professional growth.
Our Trainers
MR. MANISH DUTTA
Mr. Manish Dutta is an accomplished academician and management professional with over 26 years of combined industry and academic experience. He is currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Management at SAGE University, Bhopal, where he has been associated for the past four years. In addition to teaching undergraduate and postgraduate management courses, he actively contributes to curriculum development, research, student mentoring, internship and placement coordination, accreditation activities, and various academic and administrative initiatives. He is presently pursuing his Ph.D. in Management, with a research focus on organized retail. Prior to joining academia, he held leadership positions in reputed organizations, including Reliance Industries Limited, Vishal Retail, Fleetguard Filters, and Laxmi Engineering Industries, gaining extensive expertise in marketing, business development, retail operations, supply chain management, and strategic planning. His unique blend of industry experience and academic excellence enables him to deliver practical, research-driven insights that inspire students, professionals, and aspiring managers.
MR. VARUN BHASKAR
Mr. Varun Bhaskar is a management professional, academician and industry consultant with over 23 years of experience in hospitality, business strategy, entrepreneurship and higher education. He serves as an Assistant Professor at the School of Management, SAGE University, Bhopal, where he teaches management subjects, mentors students, and promotes experiential learning and industry–academia collaboration. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Management from Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore, with research focused on the application of Artificial Intelligence in higher education. Prior to academia, he held senior leadership roles in the hospitality sector, leading business expansion, franchise development, operations and strategic growth initiatives across India. His expertise includes Entrepreneurship Development, Leadership, Business Strategy, Marketing, Hospitality Management and Innovation.
Dr. Neha Shrivastava
Dr. Neha Shrivastava is an Assistant Professor at Sanjeev Agrawal Global Educational (SAGE) University, Bhopal. She is a UGC-NET qualified scholar and a recipient of the prestigious University Grants Commission (UGC) Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Human Resource Management, after which she was promoted to the Senior Research Fellowship (SRF). She earned her Ph.D. in Management from Barkatullah University, Bhopal, and has published two Scopus-indexed research papers in reputed international journals.
With over 10 years of teaching experience in Management Studies, Dr. Shrivastava possesses expertise in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Human Resource Management, Business Studies, Entrepreneurship, Research Methodology, Business Law, and Industrial Law. Her research interests encompass competency mapping, employee performance, organizational behavior, psychometric validation, strategic human resource management, and entrepreneurship. She is committed to fostering academic excellence through quality
Dr. Anil Kumar Tiwari
(Dr.) Anil Kumar Tiwari is an Associate Professor in the School of Management at SAGE University, Bhopal, with over 17 years of teaching experience in higher education. He holds a Ph.D. in Finance with specialization in Mergers & Acquisitions and Shareholders' Wealth and has extensive expertise in Financial Management, International Financial Management, Accounting for Managers, Financial Risk Management, and Financial Modelling. He has published several research papers in Scopus-indexed and peer-reviewed international journals and has presented papers at numerous national and international conferences. His current research interests include Corporate Finance, Green Accounting, ESG Reporting, Artificial Intelligence in Finance, Blockchain, and Sustainable Business Practices. Dr. Tiwari actively supervises Ph.D. scholars and plays a key role in organizing research methodology workshops, faculty development programmes, and academic conferences. He is committed to promoting quality teaching, impactful research, industry collaboration, and innovation in management education while contributing to institutional excellence and academic leadership.
Modules
|
Day |
Date |
Topic |
Subtopics |
Objectives |
Outcomes |
Faculty |
|
Day 1 |
27 July 2026 |
Introduction to Entrepreneurship |
Meaning, importance, entrepreneurial traits |
To understand basics |
Entrepreneurial awareness |
Mr. Manish Dutta |
|
Day 2 |
28 July 2026 |
Entrepreneurial Mindset |
Growth mindset, risk-taking |
Build innovation mindset |
Entrepreneurial attitude |
Dr. Neha Shrivastava |
|
Day 3 |
29 July 2026 |
Opportunity Identification |
Idea generation |
Identify opportunities |
Business ideas generated |
Dr. Anil K Tiwari |
|
Day 4 |
30 July 2026 |
Design Thinking |
Empathy, prototyping |
Structured innovation |
Prototype solutions |
Mr. Varun Bhaskar |
|
Day 5 |
31 July 2026 |
Business Model Development |
Canvas, value proposition |
Understand models |
Business model created |
Dr. Neha Shrivastava |
|
Day 6 |
3Aug 2026 |
Lean Startup |
MVP, validation |
Execution strategy |
Idea validation |
Mr. Manish Dutta |
|
Day 7 |
4Aug 2026 |
Innovation Management |
Types, strategies |
Manage innovation |
Apply tools |
Dr. Anil K Tiwari |
|
Day 8 |
5Aug 2026 |
Startup Simulation |
Case studies |
Real-world exposure |
Decision-making |
Mr. Manish Dutta |
|
Day 9 |
6Aug 2026 |
Pitch Deck |
Storytelling |
Pitch skills |
Investor pitch ready |
Mr. Varun Bhaskar |
|
Day 10 |
7Aug 2026 |
Final Presentation |
Evaluation |
Assessment |
Confident presentation |
Panel |
Outcomes
-
Augmented entrepreneurial awareness and preparedness among all participants.
-
Validated business concepts underpinned by a comprehensive Business Model Canvas.
-
Practical prototype solutions created via the Design Thinking methodology.
-
Investor-grade pitch decks developed and presented to a live evaluation panel.
-
Certificate of Completion conferred by SAGE University to qualified participants.
FAQs
What is the SAGE Summer School 2026 about?
The SAGE Summer School 2026 is a 10-day online training program focused on developing an entrepreneurial mindset and equipping students with essential skills in innovation management, design thinking, and business model development. It blends theory with real-world applications through interactive workshops, team exercises, startup simulations, and a final pitch presentation.
2. Who can apply for this program?
The program is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students from any discipline who are interested in entrepreneurship, startups, or innovation-driven careers. No prior business knowledge is required.
