The students of College of Engineering, Trivandrum (CET) here were in an upbeat mood on Tuesday afternoon. Rejoicing to the rhythms of the college band, St.decibel, they were loudly announcing that they can become the job creators of tomorrow.
The students were expressing their support through the campaign ‘30 days to freedom’ to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s ‘Student entrepreneurship policy’ announced during the inaugural ceremony of Emerging Kerala investors’ meet, according to which, 20-per cent attendance and four-per cent grace marks would be given to student entrepreneurs.
“We had initiated the online campaign on Facebook on September 15. This is for the first time that we are meeting for the campaign. In the next few days, this kind of programmes would be extended to more colleges. In 30 days, we expect it to be a reality and for that we are recording the videos and photographs of the campaign to hand over to the Chief Minister,” said George Jacob, a seventh-semester Electrical Engineering student.
“When the students have to work for start-up firms, they would miss so many classes and attendance. This is a welcome gesture from the Chief Minister,” said Febin T, a final semester Mechanical Engineering student who, along with six other classmates, are working on a start-up firm.
Most of the supporters of the campaign were wearing T-shirts with the picture of Steve Jobs printed on it with his quote ‘Why join the navy when you can be a pirate?’ on the back.
“The pirates are used in the sense of heroes, as in the movie ‘Pirates of the Caribbean.’ Everyone can grab a job, but nobody wants to be a job creator. If any change needs to happen to this, it should begin from the state and the scenario should be similar to that of Silicon Valley,” said Sanjay Vijayakumar, CEO of MobMe, who is offering support to the campaign and is an alumnus of the college.
The students also hoisted a flag for the campaign on the campus.
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