Univ promotes innovation through Avishkar

When the University of Pune started the research competition Avishkar in 2006 little did the organisers know that they would be the champions in four consecutive national-level competitions.

Speaking about the competition,Dr Wasudeo Gade,Director of Board of College and University Development (BCUD) which is implementing the project,said,Our is the only university in the country that is providing funds for research because we believe that constant research is the best way to upgrade our education and curriculum. Avishkar was started with the thought that there is an immediate need to inculcate research culture among students,to encourage original and novel thinking and to provide an opportunity for the expression of academic talent.

The competition aims at promoting research and experimentation among students and involves students from all the colleges under the university. The first step for the students is to present their research ideas and proposals at the university level. The selection process for the competition is very difficult as the students ideas go through levels. Experts from various fields examine each of the projects. We shortlist a few students who then go to the state and national level competitions. We hold the competition at different levels to give students a chance to showcase their ideas before actually reaching the national level, added Gade. Gopal Deore from Fergusson College,who developed Bioprospecting of weeds as chelating agent,and Gitesh Rajendra Mutha of Sinhagad College of Engineering,who developed a model for vehicle simulation won first and second prize respectively in the 2009-2010 national competition.

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