Think Tank
The Staff-Student Study
Circle
Session summary
[02/07/2025]
Presented by: Ms. Shannon Patricia
Topic: From Idea to
Implementation: Navigating Innovation Roadblocks
The session began with a brief
introduction of the day’s topic by Ms. Lekhaa. Dr. Amirthavalli was the one to
kickstart the session as she delved deep into the topic. She started by
highlighting the difference between innovation and novelty.
The former being need-based and
the latter being value-based. She also opened the floor for the students to
spell out the challenges that they face in the realm of innovation.
Ms. Lekhaa stepped up with her views
on the idea of Trust as the major issue as stealing credit would become an
overarching threat in this regard. She also stressed on the difficulty in
finding passionate people who share the same goal.
Apart from this, she also
highlighted that people get extremely lazy in dealing with tasks which are to
be fuelled with consistency.
Dr. Amirthavalli also sided
with Ms. Lekhaa as she underlined the significance of finding people with a
similar motive. “Trust and like-mindedness go together” said she. She
encouraged the students to approach the officials as they can then be exposed
to birds of the same feather. While there’s always room for disagreement,
passion drives the group together. She also presented the significance of
approaching a counsellor which is often labelled as a taboo.
Ms. Pooja presented the inevitable
need for mentors which serves to be the major hindrance in the realm of
innovation. She also presented her journey of self-learning in working at the
MMIP.
Dr. Amirthavalli pitched in to
highlight the lack of expertise at all levels.
Dr. Justin pitched in to present
the hiccups in pulling people out and suggested that it would be better to find
someone from the department. He also responded to the former’s queries on the
policy as there’s room for someone outside the institution to be involved as
well.
Dr. Nirmal advocated that it is
better to send our students there to be mentored. He also highlighted the
significance of finding a suitable mentor and stressed that the students must
work with clarity.
Dr. Justin presented the vein of
the discussion as he said “Mentoring and Networking” are the towering issues
that we need to address.
Ms. Lekhaa shared her experience on
her service learning program and also presented the lack of mentorship which
ultimately results in lack of support. Dr. Samuel Rufus highlighted the
importance of ‘hand holding’ the students.
Dr. Vijay Solomon
highlighted the lack of culture of reading the scientific literature
which often derails the students from generating a constructive outcome.
Dr. Amirthavalli
highlighted the practice of a well planned demonstration that is observed
in some of the departments in college.
Dr. Nirmal pitched in to present the
popular notion of being overtly interested in the appearance and not the
foundation.
Dr. Vijay Solomon once again
presented the factors of availability, aptitude, altitude and attitude that
play a pivotal role in this regard.
Dr. Logamanya Tilak was swift to
express his views on the factor of passion in staffs and highlighted the
significance of practicality where the mentors should be open to both receiving
and mentoring.
Ms. Lekhaa advocated that it would
be better if the ideations are presented on behalf of the Think Tank team
themselves so that it would be taken seriously.
Dr. Amirthavalli said that it
is the lack of awareness on innovation that drives this sad state of affairs as
she also highlighted the dwindling number of students who visit the MMIP. She
also suggested that it would be better if the ICA component is strengthened to
accommodate the aspects of innovation as well. Dr. Tilak addressed the issue of
complacency where students are not interested “to go to the uncharted
territories”. He also gracefully juxtaposed the notions of ‘mindset’ and a ‘set
mind’.
Dr. Samuel Rufus also
acknowledged the factor of fear/ embarrassment that often hinders the process
of innovation. Dr. Justin encouraged the students to work on the basics and
thereby identify a problem to be solved. He also highlighted the importance of
mentorship in the realm of innovation.
Dr. Vijay Solomon stated that
the students lack an understanding of the dynamics of the innovation park which
was followed by Dr.Justin’s observation on the significance of cultivating the
mindset in faculty members.
The topic then moved on to the idea
of patenting as Dr. Amirthavalli quoted Dr. Aarthi’s observation as to how
people have really misunderstood the concept of patenting. “Innovation must be
presented in the Faculty Colloquium so that it can be carried on to the
students” said she.
Dr. Vijay Solomon accelerated
the session as he proposed an idea of an ‘Innovation Day’ which can aid in
tapping the potential within oneself. The factor of credibility was also
addressed. Moreover, Dr. Amirthavalli criticised the notion of posters as it
could raise concerns of reliability. She also advocated for a nodal point to
collaborate all the ideations and thereby facilitate its progress.
Dr. Nirmal presented counter
arguments when he said that basic outline of ideas when aptly presented can
never be stolen. Dr. Amirthavalli persevered that even though the idea is
unique it is still very much likely to be stolen. Dr. Nirmal countered that one
must be smart in choosing what to share and what not to.
Dr. Hanumantha Rao stepped in to
highlight the quintessence of patenting an idea. He also presented the
complexities that are involved in funding and added that the college would only
provide the connections that are necessary for the ideation to thrive.
Dr. Jojan Job pitched in to present
his notions on making the creative ideas more popular. He also addressed that
there is a lack of awareness in students. He advocated for ‘diffusion of
innovation’ and heralded for publication campaigns and sustained interventions.
Dr. Amirthavalli continued the
vein of thought as she suggested that a QR code can be placed on a link to the
MMIP which can in turn serve as campaigning in itself.
Ms. Pooja then put forth her
ideas as she said that students aren’t ready to get used to something new. She
also added that there’s a prevailing sense of unwillingness to learn which is
also combined with intimidation.
Mr. Abishek also added that
there’s a certain amount of complacency that stagnates a student’s mind. Ms.
Lekhaa presented that there’s a tendency to look everything based on one’s need
which in turn leads to expect immediate results.
Dr. Jojan was swift to
present his views on providing internships for the students as he also
advocated the significance of peer teaching. Mr. Abishek presented that there’s
a lack of understanding about the idea of innovation. He also added that it is
crucial to disseminate knowledge on startups.
Professor Adarsh Vijay pitched in to
throw some light on the language of innovation in the humanities. He presented
the crucial question of integrating the non-natural sciences as part of the
innovation cycle.
He went on to share his
experience on working with the board for the Young Scientist Conclave. He
advocated for an expert exchange happening across sectors which he also termed
as ‘Interagency Pollination’. He suggested that the MMIP act as a nodal point
for further programs where other diplomats can also pitch in.
He also presented the underlying
challenge in nurturing the students from their first year of study. He
reinstated the need to re-imagine the idea of innovation as something which
isn’t limited to the natural sciences. In the context of this, he also stated
that “correlation isn’t causation”. “There are so many ways to come together
but the students must find a way to come together” he said.
The ensuing part witnessed
a brief encapsulation of the industrial expectations in today’s job market by
Ms. Benita.
She began with a saying “CVs
are the Facebook of students”. She also suggested that the students can only
adopt a similar pattern but should always refrain from presenting the same
format. She also suggested that it is essential to tailor the curriculum vitae
according to the requirements of the company that one is applying to.
The significance of honing
one’s skills were also highlighted. She also recommended that it is essential
to document every skill and achievement in your resume. She also managed to
address Ms. Lalitha’s queries on tailoring a resume in an educational
background.
The session then witnessed a
repertoire of insights from Dr. Allen Freddy. Dr. Allen presented that
innovation shouldn’t be confused with the intellect and added that anyone with
a different perspective can innovate. “Ideas can be stolen only at a higher
level” he said. Through real life examples, he encouraged the students to see
beyond things.
“Don’t hesitate to ask questions
but know whom to ask” he said. He also advocated that each idea is unique and
is nested in the brain so it can never be stolen.
Ms. Pooja highlighted the need for
research internships on campus which was also addressed by Dr. Justin.
Furthermore Dr. Tilak suggested that placing an LED screen in the staff tiffin
room would prove to be pertinent as it can be used to display
innovation-related activities on campus across departments.
Finally the session concluded with
a vote of thanks by Ms. Lekhaa.
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