Celebrating the spirit of inclusive innovation at STRIDE Summit 2025 with Designathon 2025 Winners, Best Institution and Campus Ambassador Award
| STRIDE (Social Technology and Research for Inclusive Design Excellence), under the leadership of the Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC), is dedicated to revolutionizing the field of assistive technology by focusing on inclusive, community-driven solutions. The STRIDE Inclusive Innovation Summit 2025 served as a vibrant confluence of innovation, inclusion, and impact. Leaders and changemakers from government, academia, industry, and civil society came together to explore and celebrate what inclusive innovation truly means in today’s world. |
| The event STRIDE Summit 2025 held on 04 August 2025, at the prestigious Four Points by Sheraton, Infopark, Kochi, focused on solutions that are accessible, affordable, and socially transformative. The gathering was marked by exceptional participation and contributions from key figures in the field, including an unmatched representation of Vidya Acadedmy of Science & Technology, which earned numerous accolades and recognition for its outstanding contributions. |
| STRIDE Designathon 2025 – Winners |
| The team Unfazed – comprising Nivin P Louis (S5, AIML Dept), Sisira T S (S5, AIML Dept), Shafna Nezrein (S5, AIML Dept), Sreehari K (S5, AIML Dept) and Vivek Chandran (S5, AIML Dept) was awarded for their innovative project Clippable AAC Device, a compact and cost-effective Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tool designed for individuals who cannot rely on natural speech.The team received a cash prize of Rs 50,000 for their outstanding contribution. |
| Best Institution Award |
| This award was conferred in recognition to Vidya of the institution’s outstanding participation in the STRIDE Inclusive Innovation Summit 2025, marked by the highest level of engagement across summit events and the submission of 75 innovative and socially impactful ideas. |
| Seven teams from Vidya were selected for the STRIDE Makethon Finals, showcasing exceptional innovation, immense impact potential, and a strong focus on user-centric design in their solutions. Among them, one team emerged as the winner, while the others also demonstrated remarkable creativity and problem-solving skills, making Vidya proud of their collective achievements. |
| Best Campus Ambassador Award |
 Ms Thulasi Rajan K (Vidya Campus Ambassador of STRIDE, Asst Asst Prof, CSE Dept) won the Best Campus Ambassador Award, recognizing his exceptional leadership, proactive initiative, and steadfast commitment to nurturing a culture of innovation on campus. Serving as a vital bridge between STRIDE and the student body, Thulasi took charge of coordinating activities, boosting participation, and motivating his peers to wholeheartedly embrace the mission of inclusive innovation.The award was presented by Dr Arun S Nair (Director, SJD) |
| The Editorial Team of News & Events joins the entire Vidya fraternity in extending heartiest congratulations to Ms Thulasi,Nivin,Sisira,Shafna,Sreehari,Vivek, the finalists and all involved on this commendable triumph that highlights the transformative potential of technology and reflects a vibrant ecosystem of creativity dedicated to solving real-world problems through inclusive design and forward-thinking solutions !!! |
