Agilent-DST-CII partnership returns with i3 - the India Innovation Initiative
Augmenting on-ground presence to ensure grass root participation
Tweet-- After the success of the India Innovation Initiative (i3) last year, which brought several cutting-edge ideas forward, the partnership of Agilent Technologies, Department of Science & Technology (Government of India) and Confederation of India Industry is back to launch the second season of the nationwide innovation competition for all innovators.
The scale of the event has been expanded this year to cover a wider spectrum of industries including water, transportation, energy, environment, internal security applications and education among others. The focus of this year's competition will be on identification of non-patented projects that have direct potential to be industrialized or commercialized.
Since i3 calls for innovation from the grass roots of the country, there is a wider geographical spread of the initiative this year, by organizing the preliminary selection rounds through four regional fairs in four regions. This will also ensure wider participation from far-flung areas of the nation.
Commenting on his expectations from the event this year, Mr. Parmeet Ahuja, President and Country General Manager, Agilent Technologies India, said "Agilent recognizes the role of innovation in creating successful individuals, companies and even society at large. Last year's overwhelming response to i3 was a testimony that India and Indians are no followers when it comes to innovation and enterprise. Emboldened by that response, we have tried to spread our reach farther into the country through these four regional fairs and my hope is that this step will encourage more innovators to reach out to the world through this platform we have created."
According to Prof. Kamal Kant Dwivedi, Head, National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC), Department of Science & Technology, "Indigenous research, development and workable solutions can contribute positively to the economy in diverse ways. We are impressed by the innovative ideas brought forth during last year's i3 and expect more such commercially substantial projects this year. The Government of India has declared the next 10 years as a "Decade of Innovation", and we would like to expand the innovation ecosystem for the youth and would continue to provide knowledge system and mentorship to help the winning applications of i3 bring tangible benefits to the real world."
According to Dr. Naushad Forbes, Chairman, Innovation Council, Confederation of Indian Industry, "CII has envisioned 2010-11 as the year of "Business for Livelihoods" through strengthening of "Education, Employability, Innovation and Entrepreneurship". The i3 (India Innovation Initiative) is a unique initiative that helps create and strengthen an India-specific Innovation Eco-system. It would create a mechanism for Innovative Indians, from all walks of life, to be recognized and helped in transforming their innovations for use in industrial and social sectors. CII is committed to feed economic activity with more and more innovation driven businesses; these are highly needed for India to become a knowledge & innovation-driven economy."
Notes to Editor
ABOUT i3
i3 provides a unique platform to upcoming innovators by giving them an opportunity to not only showcase their innovations but bringing them to life under the global expertise of Agilent Technologies in transforming innovations into products, the strong knowledge based networks of DST and the demand base for innovations from CII.
With a distinct challenge based format, the nation-wide competition is open for all innovators in India in the age group of 18+ years. Interested participants can register online at www.innovationgrid.org/i3. . The last day for submission of projects is 15th July 2010
The entries will judged on five parameters namely- creativity, innovation, implementation strategy and relevance by an expert panel of judges comprising of eminent scientists, industrialists and experts. Winners will be awarded with special cash prizes and selected innovations with potential for commercialization will get an opportunity of a lifetime to get their ideas incubated at Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE),IIM Ahmedabad in addition to other awards, recognition and support.
About Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world's premier measurement company and a technology leader in chemical analysis, life sciences, electronics and communications. The company's 19,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenues of $4.5 billion in fiscal 2009. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.
Department of Science & Technology (DST)
National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) is the apex body of the Government of India set up with the objectives of popularization of Science and Technology (S&T) and stimulation of science and technological temper among people. NCSTC supports research and development in the area of S&T communication, develops software in different languages, helps prepare competent science communicators through short- and long term courses, encourages and recognizes outstanding communicators and institutions involved in S&T popularization and organizes state/country-wide field projects. NCSTC maintains up-to-date databases in areas of relevance to S&T communication. More information about NCSTC is available at www.dst.gov.in/scientific-programme/s-t_ncstc.htm
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
CII works to create and sustain an environment conducive to growth of industry in India, partnering industry and government alike through advisory and consultative process. CII is a non-government, not-for-profit, industry led to industry-managed organization, playing a proactive role in India's development process. Founded over 115 years ago, it is India's premier business association, with a direct membership of over 8100 organizations from the private as well as public sectors, including SMEs and MNCs, and an indirect membership of over 90,000 companies from around 400 national and regional sectoral associations. More information about CII is available at www.cii.in.