Hyderabad: Innovators from across the country will come together at IIT Hyderabad (IITH) this weekend to compete in the grand finale of the Vishwakarma Awards 2024. They will compete to provide solutions to challenges in the areas of water and sanitation, green technologies and smart mobility, the theme topics of this year.
The awards will be hosted by iTIC Incubator at IITH in collaboration with the Maker Bhavan Foundation (MBF) and are scheduled for December 21 and 22. The event will be a culmination of workshops held from December 8 to 20 to provide a platform for budding entrepreneurs and students to develop practical solutions for real-world challenges. The workshops aim to equip participants with design thinking, prototyping and pitching skills to refine their ideas.
Chief guests for the finale include chairperson of Bain Capital’s India office Amit Chandra and founder of HCL Ajai Chowdhry. Director of IITH Prof B.S. Murty described the awards as an opportunity to nurture the next generation of innovators. He noted that the event aligns with the institute’s commitment to “Inventing and Innovating Technology for Humanity” and the need for impactful solutions to societal challenges.
Prof C. Malla Reddy, dean (innovation, translation and startups), acknowledged the awards' role in bridging the gap between theoretical learning and practical application. The MBF, known for its efforts to modernise STEM education in India, has partnered with IITH to encourage innovators through hands-on experience. The grand finale is free for attendees and promises to showcase sustainable innovations and bring together industry leaders, investors and entrepreneurs. The iTIC Incubator, established in 2015 at IITH, has supported over 192 startups and created over 1,100 jobs.
