Chennai: Innovation took centre stage at the third edition of NIE Vista Ideathon as students from across the city presented prototypes to address everyday challenges such as waste management, public health, and sustainability. Experts evaluated more than 1,650 entries from 205 schools.
Among them was the winning prototype from Kaligi Ranganathan Montford matriculation higher secondary school, Ayanavaram, where Class IX students E Amit Rufinas, M Krishwin Deoje, and K A Irfaan Mohammed, guided by their mentor Kumari, designed a solar-powered tech cleaner to reduce health risks posed to conservancy workers and improve waste collection efficiency. Mohammed said "After it rains, garbage is everywhere, and the burden falls on our conservancy workers. When we went to help them, we noticed a lot of scars and rashes on their palms."
The first runner-up prize went to Velammal Matriculation higher secondary school, Ponneri, while Sudharsanam Vidyaashram secured second runner-up. Other models included an IoT-based soil contamination detection system, a solar-powered cooling device, and a mobile app to monitor electricity consumption.
Reflecting on the state's vision for a future driven by innovation, school education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi urged students to think beyond conventional routes and contribute to the workforce with unique ideas.
"As the job market becomes more unpredictable, it's crucial for students to feel confident in creating their own opportunities through startups, rather than waiting for traditional job roles. EDII will help students address these hurdles," said entrepreneurship development and innovation institute director R Ambalavanan.
G V Selvam, chairman, Vellore International School, noted a growing trend among students considering education abroad, with hopes that they would return to India to launch their innovative ideas.