Thrikkakara: An event to spur the latent talents of wannabe engineers for innovation was inaugurated at the Government Model Engineering College, Thrikkakara. The logo launch of the 20th edition of Excel, 2019, their annual techno-managerial fest, was also held alongside the inauguration of the former event at this Kochi-based college.
The well-established talent-development programme is called the IBeTo (Innovations for a Better Tomorrow). It is held as part of the annual national Techno-Managerial Symposium organised by the college.
IBeTo Junior was also launched on the same day. It aims to kindle the innovative and scientific spirit of students across the state and help mould their inventions into useful products for the society.
The winners of IBeTo will be given exciting prizes including fab-lab access and direct entry into competitions organised by the Kerala Start Up Mission (KSUM).
The inauguration which began at 4:00 pm on Tuesday was presided over by the Principal, Dr. Vinu Thomas. An introductory speech by Shehzin Shajahan, Chairman Excel 2019, was followed by the logo and mascot unveiling by Pradeep P Nair, the senior member and practice head of hardware systems of Wipro Engineering Solutions.
“Digitalisation is not about the use of technology for innovation but about creating opportunities," he said complimenting the students who had taken the initiative for organising the event.
Nipun Cherian Manjooran, R&D Head and Managing Director of the Kochi-based Craftsmac Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., addressed the students. He appreciated the young minds for taking up such interdisciplinary projects which help to strengthen their notions about engineering.
P. S. Ramachandran, Executive Director, BPCL Kochi Refinery, was impressed by the level of maturity and purposefulness portrayed by the students of the college. He remarked that he is optimistic that the future is safe in their hands.
Film actor Roshan Mathew won the students’ heart and invited a huge applause when he said, “So much younger and so much brighter than us, these students are attaining global standards through local actions”. Thereafter, he launched the Excel AR app, developed by the students.
The annual meet of skilled technical students witnesses participation from engineering colleges across the state. The event, which is now in its 20th year, ended with a vote of thanks by Akhil Abraham, General Secretary, Excel 2019, and thus the torch for Kerala's oldest technical fest was lit.