Every student has an innovative side to themselves.The students need perfect guidance and support to effectively interpret their ideas and achieve great things. Such a chance is given to the students across the Telangana state in the name of IDE bootcamp under the PM SHRI schools initiative, which is being conducted in the ACE Engineering college, Ghatkesar. This is a 3-day camp in which 100 schools are participating and around 200 participants consisting of both students and teachers. This bootcamp isn’t for students but also for teachers who are keen to know what actually is happening with current technology and AI. The camp was led by Mr. Shyam, Dean of Training and Placements at Rajiv Gandhi University and a speaker from the Wadhwani Foundation, along with Dr. C. R. Rene Robin, Nodal Officer, National Skills Qualifications Framework (UGC).
Understanding the IDE Bootcamp
The PM SHRI Schools project, launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on September 5, 2022, aims to transform over 14,500 schools into modern learning centres aligned with the National Education Policy 2020. These schools serve as lighthouses, encouraging curiosity, embracing new ideas, and shifting focus from teaching what to believe to teaching reasoning. The Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, a collaboration among DoSEL, AICTE, the MoE Innovation Cell, NCERT, and the Wadhwani Foundation, aims to bridge the gap between theory and practical problem-solving.
The three-day camp was meticulously organised, with each participant assigned specific tasks to prevent any inconvenience. The inaugural day of the camp elicited a significant response, as students displayed considerable enthusiasm and keen interest. The first day included an introductory session to the camp, followed by an afternoon activity where all students were presented with a basic problem and tasked with devising solutions. Each student participated in this session with great enthusiasm. This session was dubbed “Innovation and Design Thinking Warm-up”.
Day 2 of the camp was highly interactive, beginning with a morning session led by Ms Nidhi Goyal, an AI expert. She instructed students on the utilisation of AI tools and generative AI technologies, emphasising the importance of proper tool usage. The latter half of the session was entirely interactive, dedicated to addressing students’ queries about the new tools and providing guidance on how to effectively use them to achieve desired results. The speaker also elaborated on the concept of intelligence, stating that individuals who are engaged in continuous learning are considered intelligent. Additionally, students were asked to identify four problems they face while studying, and all participated by sharing their difficulties.
The final day focused on applying learning through problem-solving. Students were given a problem statement related to pregnancy and explained the solution to overcome C-section in the same way they asked students to work on a few problem statements. In the afternoon session, they worked on desktops to create presentations and confidently presented their ideas before the jury. All participants responded effectively to the questions, leaving the jury satisfied. The three-day camp concluded on a positive note, with students gaining valuable knowledge and motivation to continue learning. Dignitaries encouraged them to keep exploring and wished them success in their future endeavors.
The event featured insights from several dignitaries, beginning with Ms. Jaya Bharathi, HOD (IT) and SPOC of the boot camp, who expressed her honor in being part of the camp and encouraged students to participate in similar initiatives. Dr. N. Sudhakar Reddy, Principal of ACE Engineering College, emphasized that “innovation requires confidence and courage rather than large laboratories”, and highlighted the role of students in shaping their own future. Prof. Y. V. Gopala Krishna Murthy, Chairman of ACE Engineering College, stated, “Strong the government schools in the country, strong the nation,” praised teachers for identifying young talent, and assured support to students aspiring to start their own ventures. He also expressed gratitude to Dr. C. R. Rene Robin, Nodal Officer, National Skills Qualifications Framework (UGC); Dr. B. L. Reddy, Innovation Enabler, Ministry of Education Innovation Cell (AICTE); and Mr. Shyam, Dean of Training and Placements at Rajiv Gandhi University and speaker from the Wadhwani Foundation, for guiding students toward creative thinking and goal achievement.
