National, 13 August 2024: Maker Bhavan Foundation (MBF), a US-based charitable organisation aiming to modernise STEM education in India, has announced the return of the Vishwakarma Awards for Engineering Innovation in 2024. This year, the Vishwakarma Awards has been organised in partnership with the IIT Hyderabad Technology Incubation Centre (ITIC). The collaboration aims to enhance the support provided to participants.
Launched by the Maker Bhavan Foundation, Vishwakarma Awards is a nationwide thematic challenge focused on incentivising talented student innovators and tinkerers to develop scalable technological solutions that tackle real-world problems and boost India’s economy. This year, the competition focuses on three critical themes: water and sanitation, green technology, and smart mobility. The top 3 teams with the best inventions will be awarded ₹1,00,000, while 18 finalist teams will spend a week at IIT Hyderabad, receiving intensive entrepreneurial training. All finalist teams will get certificates and an additional ₹10,000 from the Maker Bhavan Foundation.
Dr Hemant Kanakia, Founder and Chairman of Maker Bhavan Foundation, said “In the crowded market of competitions, this isn’t just another accolade, it’s a platform for change. Students compete to make deployable prototypes. Teams are given financial support to innovate hardware solutions that address real-world problems. Through Vishwakarma Awards, we don’t seek to applaud the best; we want to propel the best towards excellence.”
Under the water and sanitation theme, sub-tracks include innovative methods for water purification, efficient waste management solutions, and the development of sustainable sanitation infrastructure. The green technology theme encompasses projects related to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, innovations aimed at reducing energy consumption, and the development of eco-friendly materials. Lastly, the smart mobility theme covers advancements in electric vehicle technology and infrastructure, enhancements to public transportation systems to make them more efficient and user-friendly, and solutions for reducing traffic congestion and improving road safety.
Sangeet Kumar, Co-Founder and CEO of Addverb, said, “Smart mobility is the linchpin of a progressive urban landscape. The Vishwakarma Awards, with its dedicated focus on smart mobility, is a testament to the critical role transportation plays in shaping our future.”
Participating teams in the industry problem statement sub-tracks will get a chance to secure internships with Maker Bhavan Foundation’s esteemed partners such as Addverb, Reico, and Alkyl Amines, who are eager to welcome innovative minds.
Applications are now open for the Vishwakarma Awards 2024. Student teams from science and engineering colleges across India can enter the challenge. Shortlisted teams will receive financial support to build their prototypes, mentorship from domain experts, and a platform to showcase their solutions. Awards will be given for Best Product Design and Most Innovative Solution in each theme. The application deadline is August 20th.