Institution’s Innovation Council
At Horizon College, we are committed to fostering a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity among our students and faculty. As part of this vision, we have established the Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC), which plays a pivotal role in nurturing and promoting innovative ideas, solutions, and technologies.
The IIC is part of the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell (MIC) initiative under the Government of India. Its objective is to create an ecosystem within the institution that encourages innovation, startups, and entrepreneurship. The council aims to provide a platform where students, faculty, and staff can come together to collaborate, experiment, and bring ideas to life.
Vision of IIC at Horizon College
The vision of the Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) at Horizon College is to foster innovation by providing a platform for students and faculty to nurture their creative ideas and work on cutting-edge solutions that address real-world challenges. The council aims to contribute to building a robust innovation ecosystem that aligns with the needs of the industry and society.
Objectives of IIC
The primary objectives of the Institution’s Innovation Council at Horizon College are:
- Promote Innovation and Entrepreneurship: To encourage students and faculty to think outside the box, come up with innovative ideas, and support them in transforming those ideas into viable entrepreneurial ventures.
- Foster Collaboration: To provide a collaborative space for students, faculty, and industry experts to come together and share ideas, technologies, and resources for innovation.
- Encourage Problem-Solving: To promote problem-solving approaches by identifying real-world challenges and providing solutions through innovative thinking.
- Establish Incubation Centers: To create a conducive environment for the incubation of ideas and start-up ventures. The IIC helps in providing resources and guidance to young innovators looking to start their own ventures.
- Promote Research and Development: To support research-based innovation and the development of technologies that can make a difference in society.
- Develop Entrepreneurial Mindset: To inspire and equip students with the skills necessary for starting and managing their own businesses or ventures.
Functions of IIC
- Idea Generation and Innovation Workshops:
- Organizing workshops, hackathons, and idea generation sessions to inspire students and faculty to think creatively and develop innovative solutions.
- Entrepreneurship and Startup Development:
- Providing guidance and mentorship to students who wish to start their own ventures, helping them navigate the early stages of business development, funding, and scaling.
- The IIC organizes startup competitions and connects students with potential investors, mentors, and industry experts.
- Collaboration with Industry and Academia:
- The IIC facilitates collaboration between industry leaders, academia, and research institutions, enabling students to work on industry-driven projects and research collaborations.
- Industry mentorship and internship opportunities are provided to students, ensuring exposure to real-world challenges and business environments.
- Incubation and Funding Support:
- The IIC helps students with access to incubation centers, where innovative ideas can be transformed into startups.
- Providing guidance on securing seed funding, angel investors, and applying for government grants and innovation funds.
- Innovation Challenges and Competitions:
- Regularly hosting innovation challenges and competitions that allow students to pitch their ideas to experts, receive feedback, and work on improving their innovations.
- These events encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration, where students from various departments work together to tackle complex problems.
- Promote Intellectual Property Rights (IPR):
- The IIC educates students about the importance of intellectual property and helps them in filing patents, copyrights, and trademarks for their innovations.
- Workshops and seminars on IPR encourage students to protect their ideas and innovations.
- Collaboration with Government and Non-Government Organizations:
- The IIC collaborates with government agencies, industry partners, and NGOs to bring real-world challenges to the attention of students, providing them with opportunities to work on social impact projects.
Activities of IIC at Horizon College
- Innovation Week: The IIC organizes an annual Innovation Week where students, faculty, and alumni come together to showcase their innovative projects, ideas, and prototypes. This event features presentations, panel discussions, and workshops on topics related to innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Startup Bootcamps: Horizon College conducts startup bootcamps aimed at providing students with the necessary tools, knowledge, and mentorship to launch their own startups. These bootcamps cover areas such as business planning, market research, financial planning, and pitching to investors.
- Collaborative Research Projects: The IIC supports interdisciplinary research projects, especially those that focus on real-world problems. These projects often involve students from multiple departments and promote a collaborative research culture.
- Mentorship and Networking: The IIC connects students with industry experts and entrepreneurs through networking events and mentorship programs. These interactions provide valuable insights and guidance for students looking to start their own ventures or pursue careers in innovation and technology.
Support for Startups and Incubation
One of the key initiatives of the IIC at Horizon College is to provide a robust incubation support system for students and faculty. The Startup Incubation Center at the college provides:
- Workspace: A dedicated space for students to work on their startup ideas.
- Access to Funding: Assistance in securing seed funding and grants for innovation and startup development.
- Business Development Support: Mentorship and guidance in business development, marketing, sales, and scaling the startup.
- Technology and Research Support: Access to lab facilities, research resources, and technical support to help students bring their ideas to life.
Conclusion
The Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) at Horizon College plays a crucial role in transforming the institution into a hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and technological advancement. By providing students and faculty with the necessary resources, mentorship, and industry exposure, the IIC fosters a dynamic environment where innovation thrives. Through this initiative, Horizon College aims to contribute to the growth of the innovation ecosystem in India and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators.