AICTE-IDEA (Idea Development, Evaluation & Application) LAB SCHEME
Category: Education & Learning
Level: Central | State: All
Ministry: Ministry of Education

Details:
AICTE has decided to establish IDEA (Idea Development, Evaluation &amp; Application) Lab in AICTE approved institutions, encouraging students for application of science, technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) fundamentals towards enhanced hands-on experience, learning by doing and even product visualization. As a common facility embedded in the institution, the IDEA Lab will make engineering graduates more imaginative and creative, besides getting basic training in the 21st century skills like- critical thinking, problem solving, design thinking, collaboration, communication, lifelong learning etc. IDEA Lab can facilitate the students and faculty to “engage, explore, experience, express and excel” as desired by the Hon&#39;ble Prime Minister in the wake of release of National Educational Policy 2020,
> **Purpose:**


  - 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. which conventional labs are not able to. 


  - The focus will be on training students so that they become imaginative and creative and stay so at the workplaces they join. The whole idea is to transform engineering education with such a Lab in all colleges and for this they must proactively expose all students to the IDEA Lab, organize training sessions for interested students as well as support projects and by providing online learning materials. 

> **Proposal:**


  - As the IDEA Lab is going to be a long-term intervention aiming to transform education imparted in the institution, the proposal must spell out a clear vision for the Lab, plan of implementation, mobilization of resources, strength and enthusiasm of faculty, utilization and expansion of facilities, etc.
  - The alignment of activities with larger national goals/ missions/ initiatives or industrial requirements or serving disadvantaged sections of society etc. and commitment of resources for the same, will impart an edge for any proposal.
  - Shortlisted proposals will be subjected to scrutiny by a panel of experts before sanctioning of the project by AICTE.

>   **Implementation:**

The college/ educational campus/ university and industry are expected to participate financially, to match the contribution sought from AICTE or even exceed it, in establishing the IDEA Lab which ideally requires:

  - An area of 5000 sq. ft.
  - Should ideally remain open 24x7.
  - To be equipped with facilities, tools and consumables to support translation of an idea to prototype development or develop solution of a problem.
  - To hold workshops/ trainings, ideation sessions, boot-camps, competitions etc. and participate in similar activities organized by other IDEA Labs/ organizers and also in national/ international events so as to ensure that IDEA Lab is used productively and also extensively.
  - To maintain the IDEA Lab, keep it well-furnished, take care of security, provide a safe working environment and stock adequate supplies of consumables.
  - To provide necessary staff and all support facilities and amenities required to operate and maintain the Lab.
  - To follow the guidelines issued by AICTE in the matter of IDEA Lab and other Government of India rules besides following the enunciated Code of Conduct (as in Annexures) in letter and spirit.

Benefits:
Financial Assistance:
Estimated project cost per AICTE Lab is ₹ 1,10,00,000/- non-recurring expenditures (covering the cost of equipment, tools and consumables) of₹ 80,00,000/- and recurring expenditures (covering the cost of events and activities for two years) of ₹ 30,000,00/-. AICTE can provide up to 50% i.e. ₹ 55,00,000/-.
Training to Faculties and Students:
Various types of training will be provided to the faculties and the students on creative thinking, problem solving, collaboration, etc.
Activities to be conducted by an IDEA Lab:
The following table lists activities/ events and their number/ frequency in AICTE IDEA Lab and there has to be commitment to conduct minimum numbers, to be eligible for sanctioning of the project.

Sr. No.
Event & Duration
Target & Batch size 
Objective & Justification
Frequency/Numbers 
1.
FDP (06 Days) 
Faculty (20) 
Faculty needs to be trained on equipment, to be able to guide students and conduct events- including those from other institutions 
Twice in a year
2.
Skilling Programs (06 Days) 
Students (20-30)
Training in areas like electrical and electronics fabrication, embedded systems design. Embedded programming, 3D printing, robotics, welding, IOT, Machine learning, Al, bio-engineering, biomedical, etc 
One per quarter 
3.
Bootcamps (12 Days) 
Faculty (05-10) 
Training of faculty (including those from other institutions, spread over a few weeks, continuing at workplaces, if required Twice a year 
Twice a year
4.
ldeation workshops (03-05 Days) 
Students (30-40)
To generate ideas on which students can work in the IDEA Lab, including field visits
Once in three months
5.
Awareness Workshops for Industry (02 Days) 
Industry participants (5-10) 
Publicizing IDEA Lab among industries, to encourage them to use the facilities 
Once in three months 
6.
Internships (2 to 6 months) 
Students(15-20) 
For hands-on training as part of their course-work during summer and winter vacations. Internships based on industry problems should be preferred. 
As per curriculum.
7.
Professional Skilling Programs (12 Days) 
ITI students or class 10/12 pass students (5-10) 
Welding, 3D printing, mechanical fabrication. etc 
Once in a quarter 
8.
School Teachers Awareness Program (06 Days) 
Teachers of nearby schools 
Demonstration and providing hands-on experience of facilities
 Twice a year (during school vacations) 
9.
Projects by School 
Students identified by schools (10-15)
Opportunity for school students to do projects 
Once a year (as per convenience)
10.
Open Day for school students (one day)
Students (class XI-XIl) nominated by schools (25-30) 
Exposure to facilities in IDEA Lab to ignite their minds (on Science Day/Technology Day/Teachers Day/ Engineers Day)
Once a year (as per convenience)
11.
Participation in annual technical exhibitions
Nationwide IDEA labs 
Technical exhibitions etc For example, Tech FEST, Mind SPARK, etc. organized by renowned Institutions/ Industries, etc to showcase activities/products/prototypes developed in IDEA labs 
Once in a year
12.
Newsletter 
Nationwide IDEA labs 
To disseminate information to all the labs about activities of other labs, technology issues, any interesting developments, etc. 
Monthly/Bi-monthly 
13.
Webpage
All stakeholders
For web-presence of IDEA Lab, and showcasing itself before the stakeholders and other IDEA Labs 
 Weekly/Bi-weekly updation 
14.
Annual conference/ symposium of all IDEA labs 
All IDEA Labs, DIY labs or similar labs across the nation/outside the nation also
To promote active interaction, showcase of lab activities, promote collaboration at national and international level labs 
Once in a year



Eligibility Criteria:
- AICTE-approved engineering colleges/ university departments in existence for having at least 10 years and at least one course with live [NBA accreditation.](https://www.nbaind.org/Accreditationprogram)- Aspiring institutions shall have to muster financial contribution to the tune of at least 50% for the IDEA Lab. Weightage will be given to additional quantum of funds, coming specially from industry.
- The institution must provide a built-up and furnished space of 3000 sq. ft. to house.
- The institution must provide all support staff, facilities and amenities required to operate and maintain the Lab.