Patented research in the state is no more the prerogative of Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B). 24 research projects undertaken by final year diploma students studying in colleges under the Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education (MSBTE) have been shortlisted for patenting. Officials say the board will undertake the cost of patenting and marketing the projects.
According to an MSBTE official, under the instructions of the chairman Dr P. M. Khodke, the board had asked colleges to encourage final year students to work on projects
“There is immense talent in the students who pursue diploma courses, however, lack of exposure and opportunities so far has resulted in their abilities being unrecognised. Dr Khodke asked all colleges affiliated to the boards to get final year students to make practical projects. Colleges were then asked to shortlist the best projects and place them in the Project Competition hosted by the board,” said the official.
The competition was held between March 3 and 8 wherein nearly 1,500 projects by students all over the state were entered. A committee comprising industry heads and board officials adjudicated the competition and picked 24 projects as the best.
The projects include domestic and industrial gadgets. “The adjudication was based on user and eco-friendliness of the project as well as its cost of manufacture,” said the MSBTE official. Some of the projects are pedal power hacksaw machine, electromagnetic shearing machine, electric pole climbing robot, corn seed sowing and fertilizer machine and artificial intelligence for auto mobility.