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Best Practice -1

Title of the Practice:

Fostering the Culture of Innovation and Entrepreneurship through Institute Innovation Council(IIC)

Objectives of the Practice:

IIC functions under the aegis of MoE Innovation Cell (MIC)GOI. It’s activities are planned to promote innovation and entrepreneurship through continuous mentoring and support. All innovation and start-up related activities on campusare coordinated centrally by IIC.  Objectives of the practice are-

1. Imparting knowledge on innovation and entrepreneurship through MIC, IIC calendar activities, self-driven activities, day celebrations, expert sessions, and workshops  
2. Identification and motivation of entrepreneurial talent
3. Formulation of institute innovation and startup policy in accordance with National Innovation and Startup Policy (NISP)
4. Encouragement/support for prototype development and IPR generation
5. Mentoring Entrepreneurship Development Cell (EDC)

The Context:

Being newly incepted institution, high end research facilities have been improving. Meritorious students from rural section and tier-2/tier-3 cities of Maharashtra is the strength. MIC’s programme for Innovation and Startup promotion has come as a boon and IIC was established in 2018. Seven faculty members have undergone trainings of AICTE for Advanced Innovation Ambassador, NISP coordinator and contributed in constituting IIC.

The Practice:

IIC conducts all calendar activities of MIC that are on innovation, ideation, design thinking, entrepreneurial skill development, idea hackathons and prototype development competitions,  etc.Faculty members coordinates MIC activities and AICTE initiatives namely SIH, NIC, YUKTI, NISP, IPR (KAPILA), ARIIA, NIRF and IITB EDC.

Conduct of institute level competitions and Tech-Fest help in identifying students interested in innovation, technical skills, entrepreneurial ventures, financial skills, etc. IIC extends support in generating IPR and mentoring. As per the recommendations of GCOEN I&S Policy-2022, institute has allocated a budget for IIC activities. From 2023-24, Department Student Associations are also involved in IIC activities.   

Institute’s IIC is helping other HEIs towards establishment of ecosystem of innovation and startup by instituting IIC under mentor-mentee scheme of MIC.       

Evidence of Success:

1. Thirteen patents and twenty designs have been granted to 07 faculty members since 2019.
2. President IIC has mentored other HEIs for establishing IIC since Feb 2022.  MIC has upgraded our status as IIC mentoring institution.
3. Awarded Incubation Sub-centre of RTMNU T&B incubator Incubein, enabling access to high end research facilities.
4. Formulated GCOEN I&S policy-2022.  
5. Recognition of IIC performance by MIC in regional meet on 29/07/2022.
6. ARIIA-2021: Secured a position in "PROMISING" band in category of "Colleges/Institutes (Technical)".
7. Participated in NIRF Innovation Category in INDIA RANKINGS 2023
8. Conducted session on innovation in school.

Awards and recognitions:

1. IIC’s MIC-Star Ratings are 3, 4.5 and 4 for the academic years 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 respectively.
2. Conducted DTE sponsored STTP on “Building an Ecosystem of Innovation and Startup,” for 80 Engineering faculty members, Feb 1-5, 2022.

Problems Encountered and Resources Required: Raising funds for IIC activities was very difficult. NISP-2019 suggests, 1% of total institute budget should be allocated for I&S related activities, institute has made some provision.

Note: This practice can be effectively utilized by HEI for promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship. It links the HEI to national level I&S promotion schemes/competitions.

Best Practice -2

1. Title of the Practice

Consultancy services provided by the institute to the outside world

2. Objectives of the Practice

The objectives are

1. To provide services related to available technical knowhow in the institute to the society
2. To generate internal revenue for the institute
3. To keep faculty and students updated about field problems and solutions thereof

Principles /concepts 

The institute have technically competent faculty. The society (e.g. Govt. agencies/ offices, private companies/ Industries) is in need of solutions to technical problems faced by them. In order to facilitate growth of the society, the available technical expertise in the institute can be utilized by providing consultancy services. This also facilitates generation of funds for the institute. These services also enhance problem solving ability of faculty which in turn benefits students.

3. The Context

Being new in the region, the institute is trying to establish its brand. Various established Govt. and Private Institutes also provide similar services. In order to establish itself, institute mainly focused on upgraded consultancy services to its client.  Along with technically competent expertise, institute also provides prompt report. The fee charged is as per Govt. norms and is reasonable. The teachers and staff complete assignments without disturbing or in consonance with the academic schedule and activities.

Departments provide consultancy in the areas such as Structural Audit, Structural Design scrutiny, Third party audit, Product (Machineries, Furniture, etc.) specification verification as per relevant standards, Feasibility for Erecting 132 KV Overhead Transmission Line, Testing of Solar PV Street Lamps, Solar PV Fencing Project, Technical sanction to computer and peripherals specification, etc.

4. The Practice

Uniqueness

Since now a days faculty are highly educated, their specialization are also unique. This advice /service help society to grow. The aim of higher education is to impart education to the students and upgrade their skills. While participating in real life challenges faced in consultancy services, real life projects the students of this institute learn the practical application of the theory. The state government has selected this institute to issue testing and consultancy reports.

The constraints faced by the institute are limited faculty, availability of high end testing facility and equipments and funds.

5. Evidence of Success

The evidence of success can be judged form the quantum of consultancy services provided by the institute in last five years and the internal revenue generated as follows.  

6. Problems Encountered and Resources Required

Institute was new in the region. Institute approached many Govt. and private agencies for consultancy work. Gradually with quality work, institute established its brand. The other constraints faced by the institute are limited faculty. The grants received for the purchase of high end equipment from State Govt. also are limited.

 In spite all these challenges the institute is progressing ahead in the field of consultancy.

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