Institution Innovation Council (IIC)

 

The Institution Innovation Council (IIC) is an initiative supported by the Ministry of Education's Innovation Cell (MIC) in India to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and a culture of creative problem-solving among higher education institutions. The goal of IIC is to encourage educational institutions to actively engage students and faculty in innovative activities, hence facilitating a systematic approach to create an atmosphere conducive to entrepreneurship on campuses.

Institution Innovation Council

Objectives and Aims

  • Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  • Facilitating Idea Development
  • Collaborating with Industry and Academia
  • Conducting Regular Innovation Activities
  • Supporting Startups and Incubation

IIC aims to make innovation a part of the institution's culture by encouraging students and faculty to ideate, incubate, and implement new ideas.

Key Goals

  • To foster entrepreneurial mindsets, preparing students to think beyond traditional career paths.
  • To foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among students, transforming institutions into thriving innovation ecosystems.

Composition of IIC

  • President
    Dr. M. V. Alli, Principal
  • Vice President
    Mr. Sasikumar Chandran, Industrialist
  • IPR Activity Coordinator
    Dr. S. Santhi, Self-Financed Section I/c, Associate Professor of Chemistry
  • Convener
    Dr. I. Rama, Associate Professor of Chemistry
  • NIRF Coordinator
    Dr. R. Vidhya, Associate Professor and Head, Department of English
  • NIRF Innovation Coordinator
    Dr. A. S. Maheswari, Associate Professor and Head, Research Department of Zoology
  • IIC Student Coordinator
    Dr. S. Krithika, Associate Professor of Mathematics
  • Startup Activity Coordinator
    Dr. G. Valarmathy, Associate Professor of Chemistry
  • Internship Activity Coordinator
    Dr. S. Rizwana Begum, Associate Professor of Physics
  • Innovation Activity Coordinator
    Dr. R. Kavitha, Assistant Professor of Physics
  • Industry Coordinator
    Dr. P. K. Manimozhi, Assistant Professor of Physics
  • Social Media Coordinator
    Dr. S. Karthika, Assistant Professor of Physics
  • External Experts:
    • Ms. Mary Mangaiyarkarasi, IP Expert
    • Ms. Allirani Balaji, YUGAA Women’s Welfare Organization
    • Ms. Bargavi, MPR Food Products
    • Dr. R. Senthil Kumar, Sri Amman Biocare
  • Members- Teaching:
    • Dr. R. Aparna, Associate Professor of English
    • Ms. M. Radhika, Assistant Professor of Economics
    • Dr. R. Sakthi, Associate Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics
    • Ms. R. Devi, Lecturer and Head, Department of Computer Science (SF)
    • Dr. J. Gowri, Assistant Professor and Head, Department of Biotechnology (SF)
    • Ms. S. Booma Devi, Assistant Professor of Economics)
    • Ms. V. Anuradha, Assistant Professor of Commerce
    • Dr. S. Kanchana, Assistant Professor of Physics
    • Dr. R. Mangaiyarkarasi, Assistant Professor of Commerce
    • Dr. S. Thevasundari, Assistant Professor of Botany
    • Dr. R. Babykala, Assistant Professor of Chemistry
    • Ms. A. Lavanya, Assistant Professor of Home Science
    • Dr. S. Saraswathi, Associate Professor of Mathematics
    • Dr. K. Anitha, Associate Professor of English
    • Dr. K. Umarani, Assistant Professor of Tamil
    • Dr. J. Viji, Assistant Professor of Zoology
    • Ms. V. Kamalasri, Lecturer of Music
  • Student Expert
    • Ms.G. Bhuvaneshwari, IPR Co-ordinator
    • Ms. M. JanathulFagiya, Social Media Co-ordinator
    • Ms. D. Kaaviyasree, Startup Co-ordinator
    • Ms. B. Bharathi, Social Media Co-ordinator member
    • Ms. K. Srinithi, Internship Co-ordinator
    • Ms. S. Thirisha, Innovation Co-ordinator
  • Innovation Ambassador
    • Dr. I. Rama, Associate Professor of Chemistry
    • Dr. G. Valarmathy, Associate Professor of Chemistry
    • Dr. R. Kavitha, Assistant Professor of Physics
    • Ms. S. Booma Devi, Assistant Professor of Economics

Impact and Benefits of IIC

  • Enhances Skill Development: IIC activities develop critical skills such as problem-solving, creativity, teamwork, and business acumen, equipping students for both employment and entrepreneurial ventures.
  • Increases Employability: Participation in innovation-driven initiatives enhances students’ practical experience, making them highly sought after by employers valuing creativity and adaptability.
  • Builds a Startup Culture:IIC fosters a vibrant startup culture within institutions, encouraging entrepreneurial ventures that have the potential to generate jobs and transform industries.

Institution Innovation Council (IIC) at Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College (SRC)

  • Introduction to the Institution Innovation Council: Registration under the Institution Innovation Council (IIC) marked a new milestone for Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College. As a newly registered council, our institution is committed to empower students with the skills, resources and mentorship they need to become future innovators and entrepreneurs.

Establishment Certificate

Institution Innovation Council

Setting up IIC at SRC

The registration of IIC at Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College signalled the institution’s commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship. A dedicated leadership team, comprising faculty advisors, student representatives, and industry liaisons, was formed to create an environment that promotes creative thinking, collaboration, and practical application of ideas.

Council Meeting (Quarter-1)

The first meeting of the Institution's Innovation Council (IIC) at Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, was conducted on 10.09.2024. The council discussed the formation, objectives, and functions of IIC, assigning roles and responsibilities to members in line with guidelines of the MHRD's Innovation Cell. Key topics included IIC activity types, the reporting portal and potential collaborations to enhance IIC initiatives. A quarterly action plan was proposed to align IIC activities with the departments to facilitate, promoting innovation, IPR, and startup culture. The council resolved to hold regular quarterly meetings, with the next meeting scheduled for November 30, 2024.

Institution Innovation Council
Council meeting for Quarter-1, marking a new chapter in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship

Participation in the Smart India Hackathon 2024 (SIH – 2024)

One of the highlights of our inaugural year has been our involvement in the Smart India Hackathon 2024. This national-level event encourages students to address pressing real-world problems through innovative technology-driven solutions. To kick start the activities, IIC organized an intra-departmental hackathon, creating a platform for them to showcase their creativity, enhance their technical skills and work collaboratively on projects that tackle real-world challenges.

Intra-Departmental Hackathon:

Cultivating a Culture of Innovation

The Institution's Innovation Council of Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College organized an Intra-collegiate Hackathon 2024 (SIH – 2024) on 12th and 13th September 2024, in collaboration with KR-Startup Incubation & Innovation Foundation. The intra-departmental hackathon was a tremendous success, drawing participation from diverse student teams across various departments. Fifty nine teams, totalling 236 studentsparticipated in the event that provided a platform to present innovative solutions under the theme "Transforming Ideas into Reality." Faculty mentors guided the teams and industry experts judged the presentations, which spanned topics like technology, sustainability and social innovation. Nine teams advanced to the second round, with two teams winning cash prizes and 26 promising teams were registered for the Smart India Hackathon 2024 portal. All the 59 teams registered in MSME and out of which 18 teams were shortlisted for next round. This event not only honed students’ problem-solving skills but also equipped them with the practical experience required to excel in the Smart India Hackathon. The hackathon saw an impressive array of innovative ideas, reflecting the potential of our students to drive change and contribute to society through technology.

 

Key Outcomes and Student Experiences

Students demonstrated a strong commitment to innovation, learning to work under time constraints while refining their ideas based on feedback from mentors. Many students found the event highly valuable, as it provided them with real-world experience in innovation, teamwork and presentation skills. Students participation was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their excitement to participate in future IIC events and initiatives.

 

Supporting Innovation and Project Development

Our IIC supports students in bringing their ideas to fruition. From ideation to prototyping, we provide mentorship, resources and where possible, access to funding opportunities. By offering a structured framework and resources for project development, IIC is paving the way for students to turn their innovative concepts into tangible solutions. We believe that with the right support, our students’ ideas can have a significant impact on industries, communities and the world.

Mentors play a vital role in providing the participants with expert guidance to refine their ideas and align them with practical and innovative solutions. By sharing domain-specific knowledge, mentors help to enhance the feasibility and impact of projects while assisting teams in overcoming technical, strategic, or conceptual challenges. Their constructive feedback enables participants to improve their concepts, while their network connections open doors to valuable resources and industry opportunities. Additionally, mentors contribute to evaluating ideas based on creativity, viability, and potential impact, ensuring the hackathon fosters meaningful innovation and collaboration.

 

Collaborations and Partnerships

IIC is establishing partnerships with external organizations, including industry leaders, startups and government bodies. These collaborations aim to enrich the learning experience for our students, bringing real-world insights, cutting-edge technology and opportunities for hands-on engagement. Such alliances not only strengthen our resources but also open new doors for our students to apply their knowledge in practical, impactful ways.

Institution Innovation Council
Valedictory address by the Principal at SIH-2024 celebrating innovation

 

Institution Innovation Council
Cash award given to the students of History for winning first prize at the Intra-collegiate Idea Hackathon 2024

 

Institution Innovation Council
Cash award received by the students of Nutrition and Dietetics for securing the second prize at the Intra-collegiate Idea Hackathon 2024