K-DISC’s Young Innovators Programme (YIP) is set to enter an exciting new chapter with the announcement of the program’s second edition through 2020. Keeping with the true intent of the vision of the program – to expose young students to the cycle of innovation and to promote a culture of Innovation in Kerala, YIP 2020 is designed to create a deeper imprint on the academic system in the state.
In short, YIP 2020 is structured around a philosophy of situated cognition and design-based learning, and is envisioned to be a massive, open, inclusive, collaborative, institution-based program aimed at identifying and nurturing young innovators. The overall design and structure of the YIP 2020 has evolved from the following underlying strategies, and the learning gained from the program’s maiden cycle last year.
1. To prepare the next generation of youth of Kerala for the 4th Industrial Revolution and helping them apply Industry 4.0 related skills in addressing Kerala’s developmental issues
To imbibe the next Industrial Revolution skills and apply them within an overarching framework of design thinking for applying acquired Sciences, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematic (STEAM) skills in order to solve open questions, and hard “wicked” problems, complex challenges, overcome local and hyperlocal developmental issues. The future of Kerala is bright and exciting, replete with formidable challenges and opportunities.
YIP 2020 is designed to equip, nurture and develop, in these young innovators, the requisite skills and tools that will be imperative to secure a vibrant future for Kerala.
2. To build a conducive Innovation Ecosystem.
Innovation is the resulting interplay of industry, research, academia and civil society and needs a conducive environment for ideation, design and application.
An institution-based approach shall be followed, where Industry, Research Practitioners, Teachers and Professionals are actively involved end-to-end in adopting and inculcating the process of innovation systemically. The emphasis on mentorship and interactions with domain experts and professionals through Communities of Practices (CoPs) are also meant to establish exciting spaces for innovators with sustained support for problem solving.
3. To promote diversity, inclusion and collaboration.
Diversity and Inclusion are proven drivers of Innovation – enabling out-of-the-box thinking and bringing together multiple perspectives and skills.
Collaboration is also key to driving Innovation, and YIP Challenge 2020 will try and encourage collaboration amongst the innovators through team or group-based participation. Nevertheless, individual entries shall also be screened for consideration based on the ingenuity and exceptional quality of submitted ideas. Every individual who is passionate about an idea will be given the opportunity to explore them. Grit and passion, the spirit of enquiry and inquisitiveness of the individuals as well as the teams will be critical attributes for assessment.
