Sahyadri College Inaugurates ₹90-Lakh AICTE IDEA Lab

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 11, 2026: Sahyadri College of Engineering & Management inaugurated its AICTE IDEA Lab on October 9, 2026, to promote innovation, hands-on learning and prototype development among students and faculty.

Dr. H. R. Mahadevaswamy, former Vice-Chancellor of JSS University, Noida, inaugurated the 3,817-sq.-ft. facility, established at a project cost of ₹90 lakh.

The IDEA (Idea, Development, Evaluation and Application) Lab, under the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) scheme, provides a common platform to transform ideas into working prototypes. Its facilities include 3D printers and scanners, CNC routers, vinyl cutters, lathe and milling machines, drilling and welding equipment, soldering stations, digital microscopes and oscilloscopes.

In his inaugural address, Dr. Mahadevaswamy highlighted innovation, intellectual property rights and entrepreneurship opportunities in India.

Principal Dr. S. S. Injaganeri welcomed the gathering, while Dr. Ajith B. S., coordinator, introduced the chief guest and outlined the lab’s facilities. Dr. S. Manjappa, Director (R&D), spoke about the objectives of the IDEA Lab and the institution’s developmental initiatives. Administrator Krishna Hegde stressed the importance of practical problem-solving skills through hands-on learning.

Dr. Duddela Sai Prashanth, co-coordinator, proposed the vote of thanks. Dr. Aysha Shabana compered the programme.

Over the next two years, the lab plans to organise faculty development programmes, student skill-development initiatives, ideation workshops and internships. Outreach programmes for industry representatives, schoolteachers and students are also planned.

The facility will be accessible to students and faculty of Sahyadri College and other institutions across the coastal region, and the lab will join AICTE’s national network of IDEA Labs.