AICTE-IDEA(Idea Development, Evaluation & Application)Lab scheme was launched by AICTE on January 1, 2021 to establish infrastructure supporting new age learning in its institutions. This is aimed at encouraging students for application of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fundamentals on ideas- towards enhanced hands-on experience, learning by doing and even product visualization. Amal Jyothi College of Engineering, Kanjirappally has submitted a proposal for the establishment of an IDEA Lab, which is partly funded by AICTE, New Delhi and the proposal got approval, that too being one among 49 technical institutes in India, who got the final approval in this regard. The fundamental intentions in constituting AICTE – IDEA lab at Amal Jyothi College of Engineering is to make young minds and researchers more skilled, which will help them in building a professional career or for establishing a sound start up. This lab will serve as a platform for acquiring training in latest and most relevant manufacturing techniques required for the development of a product. Amal Jyothi is one of the premier technical institutes located in Rural Central Kerala. The institute is well accepted in the academic, research as well as entrepreneurship domains for the facilities they are providing the students and aspiring professionals for acquiring skill sets and conduction of research through government / institute funded laboratories, industry collaborated training centres and technical incubation centres for startup establishment. Facilities in the IDEA LAB can be used to provide training to students, faculty and interested personnel in various domains of product design and development, thereby making them industry ready. Further, school going students and personnel from small scale industries from rural areas around, who do not have provisions to access and learn such technologies will get an opportunity for the same through this centre. Exposure to CNC based technologies, additive manufacturing and other essentials proposed in the lab will make them aware of the applications of different techniques and their utility in devising and demonstrating an idea. Getting awareness and expertise in such technologies will enhance the capacity to design and develop products on their own, which will echo the concept of Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. With the institute’s experience in carrying out socially relevant projects since its inception, the infrastructure can further be extended for devising and developing sustainable projects related to waste management, sanitation, energy harvesting, natural resource monitoring and utilization etc. The state of the art facilities in the lab can be utilized for training of students, faculty, researchers and interested personnel on specific skill sets as well as management skills. The spectrum of facilities that are available in IDEA lab can very well be used for interdisciplinary collaborative research.
