ARIIA-2020 indicates innovation taking deep root in Tier-II cities

Mangaluru: While educational institutions in metropolitan cities have been known to promote innovations, the culture is now taking deep roots in Tier-II cities. What makes it more interesting is that the innovations coming out of private or non-government funded institutions and not the public varsities.
The recently announced Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) stands testament to the fact that innovations are making an inroad into Tier-II cities. In a first, four private institutions from Udupi and Dakshina Kannada — Manipal Academy of Higher Education, NMAM Institute of Technology, Nitte, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Sahyadri College of Engineering have figured in ARIIA-2020.
MAHE and Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) have featured in ‘Band A ‘(Rank Between 6th – 25th)under the private or self-financed universitycategory, while Sahyadri has been listed as ‘Band A’ institution in private or self-financed college category.
Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi, chancellor, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) said the university has been consistently performing well both in national and international rankings. Explaining how innovation is given significance at the campus, he said the institution has created an ecosystem that facilitates research and innovation.
“The Yenepoya Technology Incubation and Yenepoya Research Centre helps create an ecosystem which has facilities for cutting edge research, rapid prototyping and Medtech designing and early translator accelerator,” he said.
At Sahyadri, the students are given a conductive environment to set up start-ups. In a short span of time, several start-ups with unique innovation have rolled out of the institution. The Centre for Social Innovation (CSI) at the campus thrives for the development of local communities through inclusive innovation, specifically the coastal region.
Speaking to TOI, NMAMIT principal Niranjan Chiplunkar said, “We have set up separate incubation centres for faculty and students. We have recently moved launched an initiative to promote inter-disciplinary innovations where medical, dental and engineering departments from the university come together.”