ISRO launches more space tech incubation centers to promote innovation by students

 ISRO start a space Technology Incubation Centre (STIC) at Nagpur’s Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT).

ISRO space tech incubation centres

 In a program that was held on-line, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between ISRO, Dr. P V Venkitakrishnan, Director, Capacity Building Program Officer (CBPO), and Prof P M Padole, Director, VNIT. The ISRO team comprising Jiwan Kumar Pandit and Nishant Kumar visited VNIT.

The Space Technology Incubation Centre at VNIT being set up by ISRO, will cover the Western region of the country which will include states of GOA, Gujarat, Maharashtra and union territories (UT). Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. The objective of this STIC is to attract and nurture the young academia with innovative ideas/research aptitude for carrying out research, motivating and supporting them to initiate the start-ups and business in the field of space technology and applications. It also aims at establishing the Academia-Industry eco-system in the whole of the Western region.  “S-TIC at VNIT will receive an attractive sum as an annual grant-in-aid as seed money for two years. A major part of the seed money will be utilized for carrying out research activities for the projects undertaken by ISRO. VNIT has provided around 5,000 sq ft floor area on the 6th floor of the academic block for this purpose. ISRO shall initiate the relevant projects which can be taken up by VNIT. “S-TIC at VNIT will receive an attractive sum as an annual grant-in-aid as seed money for two years. A major part of the seed money will be utilized for carrying out research activities for the projects undertaken by ISRO. VNIT has provided around 5,000 sq ft floor area on the 6th floor of the academic block for this purpose. ISRO shall initiate the relevant projects which can be taken up by VNIT.

VNIT shall provide the relevant facilities/laboratories for obtaining solutions. If necessary, high-tech test facilities at ISRO will also be made available to VNIT,” informed Prof Padole while talking to ‘The Hitavada’. Dr. Sunil Bhat, Associate Professor from Electrical Engineering Department shall be the coordinator from VNIT side for STIC. Prof. Padole emphasized the efforts taken by the Institute in the last few years to strengthen industry-institute interaction and to create an ecosystem for pre-incubation, incubation, start-up projects, and R and D activities. The effort has started showing the fruits and in the last three years, the institute received 18 patents. The Institute is working on more than 100 R and D projects amounting to Rs 55 crore.

Prof. Padole reiterated the institute committed to the success of S-TIC by involving faculty members, students, alumni, and local industries. Umamaheshwaran, Scientific Secretary, ISRO, said, “ISRO has always worked with industries and academia through programs such as RESPOND and STIC as a step to involve students to have their start-ups in space technology having immense techno-commercial potential in future. S-TIC will provide space for entrepreneurs and leaders for the future. The sapling which has been planted today has a great potential to grow like a tree in the future and its fruits will be startups by students.” The MoU signing function started with a welcome address by Dr. P V Venkitakrishnan, Director, CBPO, ISRO. Prof. P M Padole, Director VNIT, speaking on the occasion, presented the infrastructure and research facilities of the Institute and highlighted the institute achievements. On the occasion, Dr. K Sivan, Chairman, ISRO, also released ‘YUKTI-Sanchita 2021’ which contains the list of 108 problems that ISRO wants to be taken up immediately. Dr. Sunil Bhat, Coordinator, S-TIC; Prof. D R Peshwe, Dean (Faculty Welfare); Prof. J D Ekhe, Dean (P&D); Prof. Dilip Lataye, Dean (Students Welfare); Prof. Abhay Gandhi, Dean (Academic); Prof. Vilas Deshpande, Head, Department of Physics, also were present. Dr. Rashmi Uddanwadikar, Associate Dean, conducted the proceedings while Dr. Jiwan Kumar Pandit, Associate Director, CBPO, proposed a vote of thanks.

ISRO, Academia, Industry to solve space technology problem: K Sivan Dr. K Sivan, Chairman, ISRO, and Secretary Department of Science (DOS), while speaking in his presidential address, said, “The trio ISRO, Academia and Industry through S-TIC can solve the problems in space technology. ISRO will provide projects of practical relevance on which students can work to develop a proof of the concept. Their testing and validation will also be done using the facilities at STIC and if required from ISRO laboratories. Start-ups at S-TIC can eventually approach INSPACE (Indian National Space Promotion Authorisation and Centre).”