Future Innovators from Vidya at PALS 3-Day Residential Workshop, IIT Madras
With a vision to shape industry-ready and innovation-driven graduates, the PALS 3-Day Residential Student Workshop aimed to integrate innovation, design thinking, leadership, and entrepreneurship into students’ learning experience.
Pan IIT Alumni Leadership Series (PALS)
Pan IIT Alumni Leadership Series (PALS) is an educational initiative led by IIT alumni volunteers, supported by the IIT Alumni Industry Interaction Centre (IITAIIC) and the IIT Madras Alumni Charitable Trust (IITMACT). The initiative aims to make engineering students industry-ready by aligning academic knowledge with market and societal needs
PALS engages engineering institutions across Southern India through a wide range of academic and professional development activities, including expert lectures, student workshops, faculty development programmes, industry interactions, internships, and its flagship innovation competition innoWAH!. These initiatives emphasize innovation, leadership, teamwork, and entrepreneurial thinking
The PALS 3-Day Residential Student Workshop held at IIT Madras was an enriching learning programme designed to nurture innovation-driven thinking among engineering students. The workshop, conducted from 04 – 06 December 2025, focused on developing problem-solving abilities, creativity, leadership qualities, and an entrepreneurial mindset through experiential learning, expert interactions, and project-based activities.Conducted within the vibrant academic ecosystem of IIT Madras, the programme offered participants valuable exposure to cutting-edge research, innovation culture, and industry-oriented approaches.
Manasa A M (S6, CE Dept), Sandra P S (S6, CE Dept), Hashim T H (S6, EEE Dept), Jafrin Francis (S6, ECE Dept) and Jeswin J (S6, CSE Dept), were shortlisted from the Vidya campus and participated in the PALS 3-Day Residential Student Workshop at IIT Madras. The students successfully completed their assigned projects and demonstrated exceptional performance, earning a cash prize at IIT Madras. They were accompanied by Dr. Latha Dinesh (Prof, EEE Dept).
Day 1 – Orientation and Design Thinking
The workshop commenced with registration at CRC 103, followed by a Project Management Office (PMO) briefing that outlined programme rules, discipline, and expectations. The inauguration address by Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam emphasized the significance of innovation, collaboration, and leadership in modern engineering education.Students participated in an intensive Design Thinking hands-on session, covering stages such as empathizing, defining, ideating, prototyping, and testing. Afternoon sessions focused on brainstorming and refining project ideas. A session on Research to Startup introduced participants to converting research outcomes into viable entrepreneurial ventures. The day concluded with project team formation and a music appreciation session aimed at enhancing creativity.
Day 2 – Innovation Exposure and Prototype Development
Day two began with planning sessions where teams identified materials and resources for prototype development. A session on first-principles thinking encouraged analytical and logical problem-solving approaches. Students visited the CYSTAR Centre of Excellence, gaining insights into advanced cybersecurity research, followed by an introduction to the Centre for Innovation (CFI) and its student-led innovation ecosystem. Visits to CFI laboratories and heritage spaces provided practical exposure. Evening sessions focused on creativity, communication skills, and initial prototype development.
Day 3 – Demonstration and Valedictory
The final day was dedicated to completing and testing prototypes and preparing presentations.During the demonstration session, teams presented their solutions before judges, detailing the identified problem,design approach,implementation strategy and expected societal impact. A feedback session offered constructive insights from faculty members and judges. The programme concluded with a valedictory ceremony and certificate distribution, marking the successful completion of the workshop.
The PALS 3-Day Residential Student Workshop at IIT Madras proved to be a transformative learning experience for the participants. It enhanced their technical competence, innovation mindset, teamwork, and leadership abilities, while providing valuable exposure to real-world problem-solving and entrepreneurial thinking. The achievement of winning a cash prize further reflects the students’ active engagement and the effectiveness of the programme in nurturing future-ready engineers.
| The Editorial Team of News & Events joins the entire Vidya fraternity in extending hearty appreciations to Manasa, Sandra, Hashim, Jafrin, Jeswin on the successful participation that nurtures innovation-driven thinking and enhances problem-solving abilities, creativity, leadership qualities and entrepreneurial mindset !!! |
