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.
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpg)
