AICTE-IDEA LAB SCHEME in Shillong

The purpose of IDEA Lab is to provide all facilities under one roof, for conversion of an idea into a prototype. With these facilities in the campus, more students and faculty will be encouraged to take up creative work and in the process, get training on creative thinking, problem solving, collaboration etc.

IDEA Lab is meant for students and faculty of the college/ educational campus/University.

Institutions (including part of educational campuses or universities) more than 10 years old are eligible for applying and must have at least one course accredited by the NBA.

Ideally, a built up area of 5000 sq. ft. is required. But the institution must agree to provide a minimum built-up and furnished space of 2000 sq. ft. for the laboratory and an additional 1000 sq. ft. to facilitate activities under IDEA Lab. The installation of equipment has to be done taking into account all safety and environmental concerns.

In order to support do-it-yourself activities and facilitate translation of ideas into prototypes, each IDEA Lab must be equipped with tools, components and consumables. Equipment and consumables have been identified (in Annexure ) and tools (in Annexure I1) which need to be there for a fully functional IDEA Lab as a complete unit.

The institution can shift permanently equipment/ tools they may be having with them to the IDEA Lab. However, they will not be included in the budget but reflected in the inventory.

The utilization of facilities for the purpose they are given, to the maximum extent, is of paramount concern for AICTE. Towards this, institutions can come together under a lead institution which is eligible to apply. The Lab has to be in the premises of the lead institution which will be responsible for executing the project and ensuring that participating institutions and industries are not a liability on IDEA Lab/ Institution.

Yes, the contribution can be from college but this is an excellent opportunity to reach out to industry inviting them for a national initiative. With gates opened for industry, the revenue generation and hence, prospects for sustenance of Lab enhance significantly. This is besides the live problems/ challenges they can offer to the colleges and technical experts as well.

The Head of Institute will be the ex-officio Chief Mentor (CM) of the AICTE IDEA Lab, responsible for overall implementation of the project.

Students from the 3rd/ 4th year of UG or any year of PG course who show keen interest in the activities and regularly participate in them, can be nominated. Institute can frame its own set of rules for this. Upto 3 Ambassadors can be there at a time and should be rotated, maintaining gender equity.

IDEA Lab is as much to be used by faculty, as students, including for their research work. They can work on their ideas independently or by involving students. They can create internship projects or practical work which require significant use of IDEA Lab and also facilities in their own departments. Working on interdisciplinary projects involving IDEA Lab would be appreciated.

It's the prerogative of the institution to have one, as an internal mechanism. However, it should in no way become an impediment, at any stage, in the functioning of the Lab.

As long as interested industries are an asset and not a liability on IDEA Lab/ Institution, they are welcome to contribute and participate. They can be given preference over non-contributing industries, in making use of the facilities of IDEA Lab.

Users other than students and faculty can be charged. Revenue generation will be a performance indicator and is strongly encouraged, for sustenance of the Lab. Faculty/ teachers/ staff attending the courses organized by the Lab, which earn a certificate useful for career advancement, can be charged nominally. There can be differential charges for users of facilities and those for a course/ training.

AICTE will release 80% of sanctioned amount as first instalment only after matching grant is deposited in the exclusive Bank Account of IDEA Lab and proof submitted. The second instalment of 20% will be released based on the (a) performance (b) utilization of AICTE's first instalment (c) deposition of 20% amount from non-AICTE sources and any other funds committed in the sanctioned project, besides other documents stipulated for fund release.