IIC

The Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) is an initiative by the Ministry of Education (MoE), India to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Established in 2018, the IIC program aims to encourage students and faculty to engage in activities like ideation, problem-solving, and prototype development, ultimately supporting the establishment of a robust innovation and startup ecosystem within educational institutions.

Key Objectives and Functions of IIC:

• Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship:

The primary goal is to cultivate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among students, faculty, and staff.

• Supporting Startup Ecosystem:

IIC provides a platform for students to develop their ideas into prototypes and potentially launch startups.

• Encouraging Ideation and Problem-Solving:

IICs facilitate various activities such as ideation workshops, design thinking sessions, and problem-solving challenges to spark innovative thinking.

• Providing Mentorship and Guidance:

IICs connect students with mentors, industry experts, and investors to guide them through the innovation and startup journey.

• Organizing Events and Competitions:

IICs organize events like hackathons, business plan competitions, and workshops to create awareness and provide practical experience.

• Promoting Intellectual Property Rights (IPR):

IICs also focus on educating students about IPR and its importance in the innovation process.

• Networking and Collaboration:

IICs encourage networking with other institutions, entrepreneurs, and organizations involved in innovation and entrepreneurship.

How IIC Works:

• Formation:

HEIs establish an IIC with representation from faculty, students, and staff.

• Activities:

IICs conduct various activities like workshops, seminars, competitions, and mentoring sessions.

• Monitoring and Evaluation:

The IIC program includes a system for monitoring and evaluating the progress of innovation and entrepreneurship activities within the institutions.

• Recognition and Rewards:

IICs recognize and reward outstanding innovations and success stories.

Benefits of IIC:

• For Students:

Provides opportunities to develop innovative ideas, gain practical experience, and potentially launch startups.

• For Faculty:

Engages faculty in innovation-related activities, fosters a culture of creativity, and enhances their professional development.

• For Institutions:

Establishes a strong innovation ecosystem, attracts talent, and contributes to the institution’s overall reputation.