Avishkara Launched To Accelerate Science & Innovation in Karnataka

 Intel India in association with the Department of Public Instruction, Govt. of Karnataka^* and Agastya Foundation today launched “Avishkara - Karnataka Student Innovation Program” at the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum^*, Bangalore. Aimed at fostering the next generation of innovators by accelerating science & innovation in Karnataka, the Program will promote ‘STEM’ (Science Technology Engineering and Math) initiatives in the State, and drive greater collaboration to promote research and innovation. 

Present at the event was S R Patil, Minister for IT, BT and ST, Government of Karnataka along with Mohammed Mohsin, IAS, Commissioner for Public Instruction, Department of Public Instruction, Govt. of Karnataka, and Jitendra Chaddah, Director, Strategic Relations and Operations, Intel India. Also present were KG Kumar, Director, Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Bangalore, and Ramji Raghavan, Founder, Agastya Foundation.

S R Patil inaugurated the ‘Intel  Galileo Corner’, a hub to provide hands-on experience and inculcate a Do It Yourself (DIY) culture amongst students while popularizing design and innovation at the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Bangalore. He also flagged off of the iMobile Program, an initiative of Agastya Foundation supported by Intel to provide science, innovation and digital literacy skills to the rural community at their doorstep. Several students from Karnataka, who were IRIS National Fair Winners and have represented India at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, the world's largest international pre-college science competition, were also felicitated at the event. 

On the occasion, Jitendra Chaddah, Director, Strategic Relations and Operations, Intel India said, “Intel believes that young minds are the key to taking on big ideas, and a strong STEM foundation is crucial for their success. We are happy to work with the Government of Karnataka, Agastya Foundation and the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Bangalore on a wide array of STEM-centred initiatives and   resources, designed to inspire innovative spirit among students and result in better learning and great discovery.”

S R Patil, Honorable Minister for IT, BT and ST, Govt. of Karnataka said, “Education is the key to the country’s economic future. We need to encourage students to pursue education that focuses on exploration, discovery & innovation.  We need talent to compete globally, and we will need even more in the future. It is not a matter of choice- For India to remain the global innovation leader; we must make the most of all of the potential talent this country has to offer. We are fortunate to have technology giant like Intel being pioneers to provide such opportunity to the educators and students in the state of Karnataka. The Innovation program launched in the state is laudable and will inspire the young generation in the right direction.” 

“This is a decade of innovation and today’s workforce involves acquisition of multiple skills.  Therefore education has become vital and what better way to encourage teachers & students participate in innovation related programs.  We are very fortunate to have Intel leading the way and launching its program focusing on Innovation in the state of Karnataka.  It gives me great pleasure to see students from our state stand up to the International Competition and winning laurels for our country.  I am sure such initiatives will go a long way and build a smart track of young talent in India,” said Mohammed Mohsin., I.A.S., Commissioner for Public Instruction, Department of Public Instruction, Govt. of Karnataka.

“If we allow our imaginations to fly and sour high, creativity develops. All of us are creative by nature; as man has always been an explorer. But children are more creative because most of the things they do or see is happening for the first time in their life. It is at this juncture that they should be caught and trained. Science museums are the best place to start with, where creativity and innovative thoughts can move without hindrance by way of exhibits and activities to develop such attitude in them. We are happy to be associated with Intel in this journey to nurture creativity and innovation among children,” said K G Kumar, Director, Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Bangalore.

Avishkara is a joint initiative by Intel Education and the Department of Education, Karnataka to accelerate STEM-based governmental and non-governmental programs like Inspire and Initiative for Research and Innovation in Science (IRIS) which encourage student interest and participation in STEM related subjects. Earlier this year, Intel India and National Council of Science Museums^* collaborated to set-up an ‘Intel  Galileo Corner’ at select NCSM^* centres starting with New Delhi. This ‘Intel  Galileo Corner’ will give students’ access to the Intel Galileo Development Board  to help them build prototypes for their ideas of smart devices.This learning and discovery process would be helped by relevant technologists who will be on-hand to guide on potential usage capabilities of the platform.