1 Mentor Mentee

Program Objectives:

• Facilitate knowledge transfer between high-performing and developing IIC institutions.
• Enhance innovation capabilities within mentee institutions.
• Develop leadership skills amongst mentees.
• Foster collaboration and networking opportunities.

Selection Process:

• Criteria for identifying mentor institutions (high IIC rating, proven track record)
• Criteria for selecting mentee institutions (areas needing improvement, commitment to growth)
• Matching process (consider institutional needs, expertise areas)

Mentor Roles and Responsibilities:

• Provide guidance on innovation projects and initiatives
• Share best practices and case studies
• Offer feedback on mentee's progress and development areas
• Facilitate access to resources and networks

Mentee Responsibilities:

Actively engage in mentoring sessions, clearly communicate needs and challenges, and Implement feedback and learnings from mentor.

Mentoring Structure:

Frequency of meetings
Meeting agenda (project updates, discussion of challenges, goal setting)
Communication channels (email, video calls)

Evaluation and Monitoring:

Regular check-ins to assess progress
Feedback mechanisms from both mentor and mentee
Post-program evaluation to measure impact

Visual Aids:

Charts and graphs to illustrate program impact
Success stories from previous mentor-mentee pairings
Infographics to highlight key program elements

2 Innovation Ambassador

An Innovation Ambassador's primary role is to actively promote and cultivate a culture of innovation within an organization by identifying new ideas, engaging stakeholders, championing innovative projects,
and educating others about the importance of innovation, essentially acting as a bridge between leadership
and frontline innovators to drive positive change.

• Innovation Ambassador has to complete the basic and advanced both trainings by Ministry of Education. After completing the advanced training, ambassador has to deliver at least 4 lectures in the institute he/she is associated with and at least 4 lectures in the institutes other than institutes he or she is associated.
• President can nominate up to 40 Faculty, student members for these trainings.
• While nominating faculty, all IIC department coordinators and central core team should undergo the training, min of 20 faculty members.
• While nominating students, president should nominate at least 10 Students of Entrepreneurship development cell (E D cell) students
• While nominating advanced level training, those faculty members along with E D cell students who have completed basic training should be nominated. (Max up to 10)

3 YUKTI - National Innovation Repository Policy YUKTI Implementation

The institute actively participates in the YUKTI – National Innovation Repository, which is an initiative by MIC to track and support innovative projects. The key objectives of this policy include:

• The IIC core team will be responsible for monitoring YUKTI registrations and reporting progress periodically.
• YUKTI Coordinator along with IIC president should go to every department.
• With the help of Head of department, IIC department coordinator and department project coordinator, YUKTI Coordinator along with IIC president should go through list of projects and talk to project groups one by one.
• The projects which has potential to be converted to the prototype and then in to start up should be entered in the YUKTI portal.
• A funding request to management for such selected projects should be drafted by YUKTI coordinator along with that respective department coordinator.
• Encouraging students and faculty to register their innovative ideas on the YUKTI portal.
• Ensuring proper documentation and evaluation of innovative projects.
• Providing necessary mentorship and incubation support to projects listed in YUKTI.
• Facilitating collaborations with industries and investors for commercialization of innovations.

• Idea Collection: Gathering innovative ideas, research projects, and prototypes developed by faculty, students, and researchers from various institutions across India.
• Innovation Database Management: Maintaining a comprehensive online repository of these innovations, categorized based on technology readiness level (TRL) and potential market applications.
• Evaluation and Selection: Assessing the viability and potential of submitted innovations through expert review processes.
• Mentorship and Support: Providing guidance and mentorship to innovators through connections with industry experts, investors, and incubation centers.
• Funding Opportunities: Facilitating access to grant funding and other financial support mechanisms for promising innovations.
• Visibility and Networking: Promoting innovative projects through online platforms, events, and conferences to connect them with potential stakeholders.
• Policy Advocacy: Contributing to the development of policies that encourage and support innovation within the higher education sector.

4 Smart India Hackathon

Smart India Hackathon (SIH) is a premier nationwide initiative designed to engage students in solving some of the most pressing challenges faced in everyday life. Launched to foster a culture of innovation and practical problem-solving, SIH provides a dynamic platform for students to develop and showcase their creative solutions to real-world problems. By encouraging participants to think critically and innovatively, the hackathon aims to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical application.

Since its inception, SIH has garnered significant success in promoting out-of-the-box thinking among young minds, particularly engineering students from across India. Each edition has built on the previous one, refining its approach and expanding its impact. The hackathon not only offers students an opportunity to showcase their skills but also encourages collaboration with industry experts, government agencies, and other stakeholders.

5 ATAL TINKERING LAB

Students explored projects like hanging cranes, golf cricket robots, and 3D printing. Activities included lectures on prototyping, design thinking, group problem-solving, and idea pitching. Students demonstrated projects like Train Alarm Alert and Mobile-Controlled Shopping Cart. The training culminated with motivation for the Smart India Hackathon, hands-on project creation, and an "Innovation Awards" ceremony, celebrating students' creativity and progress.

The Atal Tinkering Lab training at Shri Mhalsakant Vidyalaya Akurdi, from 18-01- 2025, fostered innovation among 8th to 10th-grade students. Led by Profs. A. V. Dube and S. M. Kale from JSPM Rajarshi Shahu College of Engineering, the sessions encouraged design thinking and real- world problem-solving. This initiative nurtured a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship