The Goa State Innovation Council (GSIC) revealed about 320 ideas being registered in the newly started virtual innovation register created to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among local youth in the state thus implying that the spirit of innovation is at an all time high among Goan youth even during the pandemic stricken circumstances.
The ideas are diverse in nature ranging from solid waste management, LED lights, sanitary napkins disposal system and aquaculture to name a few. Further, 43 out of the 320 ideas registered are from established start-ups while others are from engineering and non-engineering students in the state.
The GSIC Chairman, Jose Noronha said that the explosion of ideas from students and starups indicate that the VIR has successfully reached out to various innovators and entrepreneurs and continues to do so. He further mentioned various initiatives being taken by the GSIC to motivate youth to brainstorm which include the Hackathon young innivator awards, boot camps, workshops and much more. While commenting on the same, Noronha further said, “The young innovators awards drew great response from schools where more than 200 ideas has been submitted. The winners proposed innovations in areas of oil spill removal, digital microscopes, etc.”
The GSIC also conducted 14 STEM education workshops for school students. It was reconstituted on October 18, 2016 with the mandate to map opportunities for innovation in the state as well as creation of innovative ecosystems. The Council is under the Directorate of Science and Technology and part of the National Innovation Council. Moreover, the GSIC has also been the recipent of grants up to Rs. 30 Lakhs during the year towards payment of salaries of staffers and for organization of programmes and setting up of the prototyping laboratory.
