at IIT Madras!

Visiting IIT Madras for a three-day residential workshop (RSW) was an unforgettable experience for me. Four students from our campus, me and Sheethal from our department and Amal Baby and Mohammed Mohsin from EEE were shortlisted to attend RSW from a pilot workshop, Thinkathon, held in October. Coming from a self financing college in Kerala, the exposure, learning environment, and interactions with students from institutions across the country made these three days truly special. Faculty memebrs, Dr. Parvathy R EEE and Dr. Unni Kartha CE were also with us during the workshop.

The residential workshop was organised by PALS, an educational initiative by volunteers from Alumni Fraternity of various IITs, for achieving educational excellence of engineering colleges, enabling them to produce industry ready graduates and inspired entrepreneurs / intrapreneurs. This initiative is supported by IIT Madras Alumni Charitable Trust (IITMACT).

Our college started a student chapter of PALS last year and has brought in so many opportunities for students from our campus. PALS offers regular engagements with the students and faculty through a series of events conducted throughout the year with various activities. It features various events such as insightful general and technical lectures, Industry visits, an Innovation Challenge Competition and interesting and enlightening workshops and seminars for students as well as faculties.

During the workshop, we were introduced to the Design Thinking approach, a structured method to tackle real-world problems. We learned to empathize with users, brainstorm innovative solutions, and develop practical implementations. Hands-on activities encouraged creative thinking and collaborative teamwork, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in meaningful ways. A key highlight was the Research to Startup session, which illustrated how academic research and innovative ideas can be transformed into viable startups. Exploring the innovation ecosystem at IIT Madras motivated students to consider entrepreneurship and understand the importance of translating technology into impactful solutions.  Visits to the Centre for Innovation (CFI) and the Heritage Workshop at IIT Madras gave us firsthand exposure to ongoing projects, laboratories, and fabrication facilities, showcasing the vibrant culture of innovation on campus. The workshop also fostered interactions with students, faculty, and mentors from diverse backgrounds. These discussions helped participants gain new perspectives, exchange ideas, and explore different academic and career pathways. The collaborative environment encouraged meaningful conversations, enhancing not just technical skills but also soft skills such as communication, leadership, and networking.

Staying in the IIT Madras hostel was a unique experience in itself, offering a glimpse into student life on one of the most beautiful campuses in the country. The campus felt like a forest within a city, with tall trees everywhere and frequent sightings of deer and monkeys moving freely around the hostels and pathways. Being surrounded by such rich greenery and wildlife made the stay peaceful and memorable, adding a special charm to the entire workshop experience.

And, we won prizes too. Amal Babu and Mohammed Mohsin received prizes for their respective team projects, ePLANE and Hyperloop.

From my experience, this was the first time we had the opportunity to interact closely with students from different states. Initially, I felt a little hesitant, but as we started talking, the way they communicated with us felt very open and respectful. Through these interactions, I realized that people from different regions may have different backgrounds, but their thoughts, values, and emotions are often very similar. These conversations helped change my perspective and also showed how understanding and mutual respect can influence the way we treat one another. Overall, the experience made me feel more confident and broadened my outlook towards people from other states.

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Fathima Noushad N, S4 CE