The objective of  STUP is to improve the performance of existing SSI units by developing/strengthening the entrepreneurial and managerial skills and capabilities of the entrepreneurs and senior executives of the small enterprises. The underlying intention is to enable the participant entrepreneurs/senior executives to assess his/her existing performance level and determine ways to enhance performance. It is also aimed at creating awareness amongst the SSI units on process improvements, technological developments etc. and to induce the units to upgrade their technological levels.

Homogeneous groups of entrepreneurs/senior executives in terms of the size of the units, owner profile, nature of industry and present financial/working status. Normally the number of participants should not exceed 25 to ensure better interaction and participation.

Variable, 3-7 days.

The programme content would be tailored depending upon the participants and/or the industry group represented by them. STUP courses typically deal with:

• Product/process technology.
• Quality up-gradation.
• Environment management.
• Export promotion and management.
• Marketing management.
• Strategic management.
• Industrial design.
• Packaging
• Effective business communication.
• IT and Computer Applications

Besides theoretical inputs by expert faculty, emphasis should be given to case studies, group discussions, practical demonstrations and field visits to model units to have the desired impact.

Participants would be required to pay the fee fixed for the purpose at the time of registration. This should be taken as a non-refundable fee to obviate drop out of participants at later stages. Generally lodging and boarding facilities are made available to the participants at CEC Guest House, IIT Kharagpur on payment basis. The participants will not receive any stipend or allowance during the programme.