A creative idea

The Hindu : Education : A celebration of free thinking: "If creativity involves rearranging what we know in order to find out what we do not, innovation is giving it a shape and a name. Not only is the Centre for Innovation (CFI) at IIT- Madras meant to be a student-run lab, it is also being set up by a student team, guided by the faculty and alumni.

Amidst interiors that are painted in informal shades of cream and white, bits of paper, copper wires, parts of circuits, ICs, half-complete aero models and diagrams are strewn around while students work relentlessly on projects.

“The juniors are the most enthusiastic. All they have to do is come up with an idea. A group of six seniors guide them, present it to the mentor, and get it granted by the dean,” says V.G. Idichandy, former deputy director, IIT- Madras, who has been closely associated with CFI.

The centre, besides a mess and many other facilities, is funded by the alumni. “There is everything available here — all the material one would need for a project. The whole idea is to provide students with everything they need so that they do not have to run around,” he says."

'via Blog this'