Sahyadri College Inaugurates AICTE IDEA Lab
Mangaluru: Dr. H. R. Mahadevaswamy, former Vice-Chancellor of JSS University, Noida, inaugurated the Sahyadri AICTE IDEA Lab at Sahyadri College of Engineering and Management, Mangaluru, on Friday, October 9.
The IDEA (Idea, Development, Evaluation and Application) scheme of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) provides a common platform for students and faculty members to transform ideas into working prototypes under one roof.
The lab spans a built-up area of 3,817 sq. ft. and was established at a project cost of Rs 90 lakh. Its facilities include a 3D printer and scanner, CNC router, vinyl cutter, multipurpose lathe and milling machines, drilling and welding machines, soldering stations, digital microscopes and oscilloscopes.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mahadevaswamy spoke about innovation, intellectual property rights (IPR) and the scope for entrepreneurship in the country.
Dr. S. S. Injaganeri, Principal of the college, delivered the welcome address, while Dr. Ajith B. S., coordinator of the lab, introduced the chief guest and presented an overview of the facility.
Dr. S. Manjappa, Director (Research and Development), outlined the scope and objectives of the AICTE IDEA Lab, the role of sponsoring agencies, and the developmental initiatives undertaken by Sahyadri that have contributed to various institutional recognitions. He emphasised how these initiatives benefit stakeholders and contribute to delivering quality education.
Mr. Krishna Hegde, Administrator, addressed the students and highlighted the importance of developing practical problem-solving skills through hands-on learning and application-oriented practices.
Dr. Duddela Sai Prashanth, co-coordinator of the lab, proposed the vote of thanks. Dr. Aysha Shabana compered the programme.
Over the next two years, the lab plans to organise faculty development programmes, student skill-development programmes, ideation workshops and internships. It will also conduct outreach programmes for industry representatives, schoolteachers and school students and become part of AICTE’s national network of IDEA Labs.
The facility will be accessible to students and faculty members of Sahyadri College as well as those from other institutions across the coastal region, providing opportunities for collaborative innovation, hands-on learning and prototype development.