Keeping with its commitment to contribute to world development through innovative measures, IIT Bombay (IITB) has launched a Mega Global Initiative to discover ‘10 Great Ideas to Change the World in the next 50 years’. This initiative was launched by noted industrialist Adi Godrej, Chairman of Godrej Group, and a member of IITB Advisory Council, along with Prof. Ashok Misra, Director, IIT Bombay, at a gala event at IITB’s Powai campus today in Mumbai.
This project aims to invite IITB’s alumni, students, faculty and staff – past and present – to send in their revolutionary ideas from across the world in the area of science and technology, for the betterment of mankind. A special website has been created which requires IITB members to register and send in their entries by 30th October, 2008. The entries will be judged by an international panel of eminent ideators and thought leaders, including, R. Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Advisor to Govt. of India, Prof. Mark Welland, Head of Nanoscience in Cambridge University, Narayana Murthy, Non Executive Chairman and Chief Mentor, Infosys, Dr. Craig Venter, American Biologist, among others. The panel will be chaired by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India.
The selection of the 10 Greatest Ideas will be completed by February 28, 2009, and the owners of the ideas will be invited to present a White Paper at a Round Table summit in March 2009, towards the end of IITB’s Golden Jubilee celebration period.
The intellectual property for each idea contributed to this unique project will be owned by the ideator, and will receive recommendation and support by IITB across relevant world institutions for possible implementation.
Commenting at the launch of the project, Prof. Ashok Misra, Director IITB, said, “IITB has always played an important role in setting the stage for cutting edge technological research and innovation. This is the first of its kind initiative undertaken by any learning institution like ours and we are looking forward to the extended worldwide IITB family coming forward to support the project with their discerning ideas.”
The launch ceremony commenced with an audio visual on Innovations by IIT Bombay followed by Prof. Misra’s description of the 10 Great Ideas initiative. He then invited Adi Godrej to unveil the “Idea Bulb” Logo to represent the 10 Great Ideas.
Adi Godrej then proceeded to share an inspiring talk on the necessity for innovation across all platforms in life, after which he presented the first entry form to O. B. Dais, an alumnus from the 1962 batch. Dias registered his name as the first project member and looks forward to sending in his great idea soon. The event culminated with a panel discussion on “How to Become World Leaders in Innovation.” The discussion was held with participation of Adi Godrej, Prof. Misra, Prof. Krithi Ramamrithan, Dean R&D IITB and Hemant Rath, Research Scholar, IITB, chaired by Alyque Padamsee.