CISCO launches thingQbator IoT Lab in Delhi

The Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women (IGDTUW) has announced the launch of the “Cisco thingQbator” makerspace to drive innovation in the areas of Internet of Things (IoT) and other emerging digital technologies. The thingQbator program is a part of Cisco’s CSR commitment, with the objective of building digital skills, creating local solutions to local problems and facilitating student entrepreneurship.

The launch event is presided over by the Dr Amita Dev, Vice-Chancellor of the University. The Chief Guest for the event Aruna Sundararajan (Secretary, Telecom and Chairman, Telecom Commission, Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, Government of India), congratulated the University for enabling the future techno-leaders with latest technologies like IoT and other Digital Technologies. Guests of Honour of the event, Prof. A.P. Mittal, Member-Secretary, AICTE, and Prof. Shyam B Menon, Ex-Vice- Chancellor, Ambedkar University, Delhi, also addressed the gathering. Harish Krishnan, CISCO Managing Director, Public Affairs India and SAARC; Shrikant Sinha, CEO, NASSCOM Foundation; R.K. Pathak, Deputy Director General, DoT; and Abhishek, Founder, DEFY, also graced the occasion.

Aruna Sundararajan emphasised that India is on the verge of becoming Rs.1-trillion Digital Economy within the next five years. The role of young women in catalyzing this is important and such initiatives will drive innovations and empowerment.

The “Cisco thingQbator” program will run across two annual cohorts (50 student innovators per cohort) where selected students would have full access to the makerspaces to turn their ideas around IoT and other digital technologies into working prototypes. CSR partner NASSCOM Foundation, together with implementation partners Project DEFY and Li2 technologies, would help in setting up the makerspaces and operate the program for the first year along with the university. Cisco as the program sponsor would provide technical knowhow and mentorship along with access to its digital technologies. This makerspace is the first among the network of five makerspaces that Cisco is setting up across the country in various universities.

The Department of Telecommunications will play the role of mentor organization for the thingQbator makerspace being set up in the Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women. The collaboration between DoT and Cisco will help in providing direction to the students by helping them identify problems and come up with relevant solutions with the help of mentors.

Harish Krishnan, CISCO Managing Director, Public Affairs India and SAARC, says, “’‘Cisco thingQbator’ IoT makerspace is aimed to enable students to get hands on with technology and conceive digital solutions to local problems. As broadband becomes pervasive, the ThingQbator IoT makerspaces will become centres of local innovation fostering entrepreneurial spirit among the student community and enhance digital skills development. We are excited to launch the ThingQbator at the Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women (IGDTUW), with mentorship support from Department of Telecom and we believe this is a great testimonial of a public-private partnership.”