An International Capacity Building Workshop on Innovation has been organised by National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) from 26th – 28th March 2015 in Kolkata. Ms. Suravi (Paula) Gangopdhyay, Chief Learning Officer (CLO), The Henry Ford, USA will be one of the presenter during the workshop and will share her views on Innovation and its power. She will also discuss about TV show Innovation Nation.
Apart from, her role as CLO, President Barack Obama appointed Gangopadhyay as a member of the National Board of Museums and Libraries. She is the recipient of the 2012 American Alliance of Museums (AAM) EdCom Award for Excellence in Practice, the 2014 Michigan Informal Educator of the Year from the Michigan Science Teachers Association and the prestigious 2014 Faraday Science Communicator Award from the National Science Teachers Association.
Among other presenters, Dr Dipayan Dey, Director, SAFE (South Asian Forum for Environment) having comprehensive experience in tertiary teaching and communication will present his views on ‘The nature of Creativity and Creative Processes’. Dr Tinku Acharya, Founder & MD, Videonetics, a fellow of IEEE, a researcher, inventor of 150+ Patents, and recipient of several prestigious Awards like Most prolific Inventor in Intel, Engineer of the Year, NASI-Reliance Industries Platinum Jubilee Award for Innovation in Physical Sciences etc. will present his views on ‘IPRs and Its relevance in India’. Other presenters are Prof P. P. Das, Head of Rajendra Mishra School of Engineering Entrepreneurship, IIT, Kharagpur, Dr N S Dinesh, Professor, IISc, Bangalore, Krishnendu Chakrabartty, Ex-Head of Physics Dept. Stretford Grammar School, Manchester, UK.
The main objective of the workshop is to enhance skills of the coordinators of Innovation Hubs in India by exposing them to best practices adopted in similar institutions in the world.
NCSM, an autonomous organisation under Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India is the largest network of Science Centres/Museums/Science City in the world. Under the Scheme SPICES (Scheme for Promoting Innovation, Creativity and Engagement in Science), NCSM is developing Innovation Hubs throughout India. Five Such Hubs have already been established in Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Guwahati. In total 60 hubs shall be developed during 12th plan period of which work has been initiated for 21 such hubs. An Innovation Hub is place which provides facilities to nurture new ideas and help develop inquisitive perspective in youths of today. These hubs would involve youth in innovative and creative activities. Considering the situation, a workshop of this kind was evitable.
Over a period of three days, various aspects of Innovation, Intellectual Property Rights etc. shall be discussed through presentation and Hands-on activities. Best practices around the world will also be showcased. Indian Coordinators will also give presentation.
