Mangaluru: The Sahyadri Center for Social innovation which includes Hands on experience lab, Engineering sense lab, Innovation lab and Product design lab was inaugurated by Padmashri Dr Prahlada Rama Rao Former Vice Chancellor of Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Former Director of Defence Research and Development Laboratory. He unveiled the Hands on Lab Manual and addressed the gathering at the Sahyadri Seminar hall.
Padmashri Dr Rao is a Mechanical Engineering Graduate from University College of Engineering, Bangalore University. Subsequently he got his Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Engineering Department from IISc., Bangalore, with specialization in Rockets and Missile Systems and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad. He is a fellow member of several Indian institutions and professional bodies and has also configured and established many world class high-tech facilities and infrastructure. As Project Director for the mobile surface to air area defense missile system, AKASH, he has provided the technological and managerial leadership for about 1000 scientists/engineers working at various development centres over 20 years in the country.
Principal Dr U.M Bhushi welcomed the gathering. He spoke about Dr A.P.J Abdul Kalam, a great scientist who ignited the young minds, and also added that Sahyadri is honored by the presence of Dr Prahlada Rao.
Chairman Manjunath Bhandary expressed his vision in initiating this Center for Social Innovation. He spoke about the importance of social innovation which helps to build a better society. He said that almost 90 % of engineers fail to use their basic knowledge and added that a good engineer will always be the one who applies his knowledge towards societal problems. Prof. C Ranganathaiah, Director of Research introduced the Chief guest and stated that engineers will come up with innovations which are technology driven by providing products, services and models which contribute to the development of the society.
Chief Guest Padmashri Dr Prahlada Rama Rao interacted with the students and faculty members by sharing some of his experiences in serving the nation. He further stated that, the students should utilize the model of learning where in teachers will do less of teaching and students learn more. He also emphasized that institutes should provide the environment and space for innovation where students being dynamic, highly networked, ambitious and comfortable in adopting new technologies can make wonders happen if opportunities are provided to them. He illustrated about Skunk works, where projects are being developed by a group of people who research and develop a project primarily for the sake of radical innovation.
Dr Rao advised students to realize their potential and break barriers in order to innovate and explore. He spoke about developed countries like Germany, Japan and USA which provide more leverage for innovative thinking. He also shared his memorable moments with Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. He concluded by saying that solutions can be provided to problems through innovative products, services and processes. Finally he expressed that this day would be considered as Learner’s Day. He assured Sahyadrians of his continuous support in the area of innovation.
