Now,online database for analysis of engineering problems

Traditionally,IDPs are presented at “techfests” — two or three-day technology festivals in individual engineering colleges — where students brainstorm on how to solve them. The online initiative hopes to enlarge the scope of the brainstorming — from campus to virtual. Eventually,a team of students with the best ideas will be identified to work on an IDP.

“Each IDP will be handled by five students assisted by three teachers,” said Hiranmay Mahanta,joint co-ordinator of Techpedia.

To handle the initiative,a National Mentor Network is being formed with the support of former President A P J Abdul Kalam and R A Mashelkar,former Director of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Over 2,000 engineering professors from various colleges across the country have already consented to be part of the network,according to Mahanta. They will guide the student teams working on the IDPs,he said.

The portal is also planning to provide fellowships to

students who take up the IDPs. Besides,it will foster internships at the companies as well.

The IDPs will be constantly monitored and compared to the database of projects so that duplication of work is avoided.

“The ultimate aim is to promote original thinking. If an idea already exists,then a student will have to innovate and come up with a new one,” Mahanta added.