Innovation (Tinkering) & Internet of Things (IoT) Lab launched at BITS Pilani Goa Campus to integrate experiential learning and innovation as a core value for the student learning experience
29 March 2023
A state-of-the-art innovation (Tinkering Lab) has been launched at BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus, to promote the culture of collaborative, hands-on learning among students enhancing their transformative potential into innovators and change-makers on 20th March 2023.
The lab was set up with generous contributions from BITS Alumni Association (BITSAA). The Maker Bhavan Foundation, a US 501(c) 3 public charity working with science and engineering institutions in India to modernize engineering education, provided technical and advisory support to the University for setting up the lab.
Tinkering Labs are student-managed workspaces open 24/7 to all sections of the institute community. The goal is to create a close-knit community of professors, alumni from industry, and students facilitating an innovative blend of disciplines that can ignite problem-solving ability and spark new inventions that tackle real-life problems.
The Internet of Things (IoT) lab of BITS BioCyTiH foundation was also launched on 21st March 2023. The foundation is funded by NMICPS-DST, Government of India, with a mandate to develop the technologies and products in the Bio-Cyber-Physical domain especially through deep-tech technology start-ups.
These key labs, inaugurated by Prof V Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor of BITS Pilani group of Institutions, were part of the Founders’ Day and Science Day celebrations organized by BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus as an “Open Day” grand event on 21st March 2023.
The distinguished guests present for the event were: Prof. Aniruddha B Pandit, Vice Chancellor of Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) Mumbai as a Chief Guest and Prof. Debi Sarkar, Sr. Prof. University of Delhi & Former Director, IISER, Mohali as a Guest of Honour. Prof. G Ravindra Kumar, BITS Alumnus and Distinguished Professor, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) was the plenary speaker. He delivered a talk on: India@2047 Thought Leaders envision a Roadmap for India’s transformation in the next 25 years. Our newly appointed Vice Chancellor, Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao graced the event with his esteemed presence.
Faculty members and Research Scholars of all the Departments, faculty led startups, campus Incubators and special centers exhibited their research work/products/scientific experiments in the form of digital simulations, technology innovations, posters and prototypes. Students' clubs (SAE, Aerodynamics, Robotics, Sandbox, Art-N-Deco, DoPY, Kratos) exhibited their products, as well.
A large number of students from local schools and colleges gathered to experience the Open Day at BITS Goa campus.
BITS Alumni have been extremely supportive of new initiatives that promote students' innovation. Tinkering Lab is a welcome addition and it will enhance the educational experience and innovation capabilities of students. Dr Nitin Sharma, Associate Dean, Alumni Relations Cell and Dr Veeky Baths, the former Associate Dean, ARC, played a significant role in setting up the Innovation Lab. Dr Satya Dash, CEO, BITS BioCyTiH Foundation also graced the inauguration of the IoT lab.
BITSAA President Commodore Harsh Bhargava, who could not attend the event, expressed his support for the initiative and believes that the Innovation lab will take science and innovation to the next level in BITS Goa. Mr. K Srikanth, Secretary, BITSAA section 8 company, was present at BITS Goa to bless the team who helped develop the Innovation Lab in the leadership of Dr Varinder Singh. He shared his experiences, initiatives by BITSAA and pledged to support BITS Pilani.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof V Ramgopal Rao said:
“BITS has an excellent culture of innovation and start-ups in the country. Among the alumni start-ups, BITS stands third in the country, only behind IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay. BITS is focussing on more deep technology start-ups on its campuses in Goa, Pilani, Hyderabad, and Dubai. As part of our start-up initiative, we are happy to inaugurate Innovation & IoT labs in Goa Campus so that our students, faculty and other researchers in Goa can utilize the resources for their research and innovation activities.”
Speaking on occasion, Prof Suman Kundu, Director K K Birla Campus, said:
“The innovation Lab with its 24/7 open accessibility, is a welcome addition for our students. The wide variety of student clubs and teams working in robotics, satellite development, automobile & autonomous vehicles, and others will benefit immensely from the lab, as will our vibrant startup ecosystem, which can now leverage the lab for prototyping and testing. The IoT lab will fuel Bio-CPS research”.
Dr Hemant Kanakia, Founder Maker Bhavan Foundation, expressed his happiness and sent a message as follows:
“Tinkerers Lab is the flagship program of the Maker Bhavan Foundation. Since 2014 we have been working with Higher education institutions in India to inculcate a culture of making, active learning, innovative real-world problem-solving, and habits of life-long learning among students. This is the 9th lab in operation, including five at IIT campuses, and we expect to add two more labs later this year. Committed, enthusiastic faculty and a vibrant student maker community are two of the key success factors in creating world-class makerspaces and am looking forward to great outcomes from the BITS Tinkerers labs in the future”.