The Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women (IGDTUW) announced the launch of the ‘Cisco thingQbator’ makerspace to drive innovation in the areas of Internet of Things (IoT) and other emerging digital technologies. The thingQbator programme is a part of Cisco’s CSR commitment, with the objective of building digital skills, creating local solutions to local problems and facilitating student entrepreneurship.
The launch event was presided by the Amita Dev, Vice Chancellor of the University. The Chief Guest for the event Aruna Sundararajan (Secretary, Telecom and Chairman, Telecom Commission, Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, Govt of India) congratulated the University for enabling the future techno-leaders with latest technologies like IoT and other Digital Technologies. Guests of Honor of the event, Prof. A P Mittal, Member Secretary, AICTE and Prof. Shyam B Menon, Ex-Vice Chancellor, Ambedkar University, Delhi also addressed the gathering. . Harish Krishnan, CISCO Managing Director Public Affairs India and SAARC, Shrikant Sinha, CEO NASSCOM Foundation, RK Pathak, Dy. Director General, DoT, Abhishek, Founder DEFY were also present on the occasion of the launch.
Aruna Sundararajan emphasised that India is on the verge of becoming 1 trillion within the next 5 years. The role of young women in catalysing this is important and such initiatives will drive innovations and empowerment.
The ‘Cisco thingQbator’ program will run across two annual cohorts (50 student innovators per cohort) where selected students would have full access to the makerspaces to turn their ideas around IoT and other digital technologies into working prototypes. CSR partner NASSCOM Foundation, together with implementation partners Project DEFY and Li2 technologies would help in setting up the makerspaces and operate the program for the first year along with the university. Cisco as the program sponsor would provide technical knowhow and mentorship along with access to its digital technologies. This makerspace is the first among the network of five makerspaces that Cisco is setting up across the country in various universities.
Harish Krishnan, CISCO Managing Director Public Affairs India and SAARC,“Cisco thingQbator” IoT makerspace is aimed to enable students to get hands on with technology and conceive digital solutions to local problems. As broadband becomes pervasive, the ThingQbator IoT makerspaces will become centers of local innovation fostering entrepreneurial spirit among the student community and enhance digital skills development.”.
