The Minister of Human Resource Development inaugurated the TechEx (technology exhibition) at IIT Delhi, earlier this week.
The event was organised to demonstrate the products and prototypes developed under the two flagship schemes of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). Namely, IMPacting Research, Innovation, and Technology (IMPRINT) and the Uchhatar Avishkar Yojana (UAY).
The Minister also released a TechEx Volume containing abstracts of all the IMPRINT and UAY projects.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said the Prime Minister emphasises the importance of research and digital improvement and has implemented policies that encourage the same.
He added that the National Research Foundation (NRF) will provide a new direction to research in India. The subject of research should relate to social concerns of the region so that benefits reach down the line to the last person, he said.
What drives the growth of developed countries is the contribution of the research from their universities. India’s educational institutions have to play the same role to build a new India.
The Minister said that the TechEx offers a platform for researchers to showcase their work and inspire them to do their best in their respective domains.
As many as 50 models and prototypes under IMPRINT and 26 under UAY were showcased during the exhibition, in addition to 142 posters.
The most memorable exhibits were:
- Non-invasive and low-cost rapid TB diagnostics
- Artificial pancreas for closed-loop blood glucose control of type-I diabetic patients
- Affordable cancer diagnosis/treatment
- Electric vehicle charger
- Remote healthcare delivery system for non-communicable diseases
- Low-cost environment-friendly fire detection and suppression system
- Air quality monitoring network system
- System to detect pesticides and insecticides in fruits and vegetables
Launched in 2015, the IMPRINT scheme’s mission was to provide solutions to the most relevant engineering challenges by translating knowledge into viable technology (products or processes) in ten selected technology domains. These are healthcare, energy, sustainable habitat, nano-technology hardware, water resources and river systems, advanced materials, ICT, manufacturing, security and defence, and environmental science and climate change.
As many as 142 projects were approved under the IMPRINT-I. These projects are funded jointly by MHRD and the participating Ministry in the ratio of 50:50.
The Uchhatar Avishkar Yojana (UAY) was also launched in 2015. The programme promotes the innovation of a higher order that directly impacts the needs of the Industry and thereby improves the competitive edge of Indian manufacturing.
A total of 142 projects, including 83 in Phase-I and 59 in Phase-II) have been approved under UAY. Projects are funded jointly by MHRD, participating ministries and the industry in the ratio of 50:25:25.
The scheme focusses on a viable industry-academic collaboration where industry shares a part of the cost of research.
Over the last few years, the government has been promoting tech development workshops, competitions, and exhibitions. OpenGov reported earlier that a Smart India Hackathon (SIH) was recently organised at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad.
A hackathon is an event that brings together computer programmers and others involved in software development, including graphic designers, interface designers, and project managers, that collaborate on digital projects.
The SIH was a non-stop five-day event where participating teams from all over India built prototypes to give solutions to problem statements provided by ministries and companies.
It was a unique open innovation model to identify new and disruptive technology innovations to solve the challenges faced in the country.