About the Contest

The I²U contest identifies and provides financial support for innovative project ideas from students. It is open to all students of AJCE — teams submit project proposals in a prescribed format under a faculty Guide. Inter-disciplinary projects are strongly encouraged: students from different branches or semesters may form teams, and the Guide and Co-guide may be from the same or different departments.

Proposals are screened at the departmental level, then evaluated by expert panels across successive phases. Selected proposals are recommended for funding support, and teams carry their projects through to a working demonstration. Along the way, participants earn activity points and academic credits.

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  Eligibility

  Open to all students of AJCE.
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  Team Composition

  Each team can have a maximum of six students, including the Team Leader. A student can be part of only one team.
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  Team Structure

  Each team must have a Student Leader, a Guide (faculty mentor), and an optional Co-guide.
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  Interdisciplinary Collaboration

  Multi-disciplinary teams are encouraged. Students from different branches or semesters may form teams, and the Guide and Co-guide can be from the same or different departments.
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  Departmental Association

  The project will be officially associated with the Guide's parent department.
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  Evaluation Process

  A panel of judges appointed by the college evaluates proposals. Selected proposals are recommended for funding support.

  Innovativeness Presentation Quality Engineering Merit Cost Effectiveness Potential Impact
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  Funding Support

  Approved projects receive AJCE R&D funding of up to ₹15,000 per project, based on project requirements.
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  Project Monitoring

  Teams must submit periodic progress reports through their Guide to the Dean (Research). A mid-term evaluation is also conducted.
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  Implementation Timeline

  Projects must be completed and demonstrated under the guidance of faculty mentors within the timeline announced for each edition.
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  Fund Management

  Funds are disbursed to the Guide's department. Departments must maintain proper records and ensure the project remains in working condition after completion.

IEDC Funding Support

The College was sanctioned an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centre (IEDC) by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, in 2009. Through IEDC funding, five of the best I²U projects each year (from 2009 for 5 years) received ₹1 lakh each — totalling support for 25 projects overall.

The grant included ₹10,000 remuneration each to the project mentor and up to 3 student team members, plus up to ₹60,000 towards product development (as per IEDC norms). The College continues to offer ₹20,000 per selected project from its own funds even after IEDC funding concluded.

About the OIC

The Open Innovation Challenge was introduced to further promote innovative thinking among staff and students. OIC operates in two categories, each targeting real-world solutions developed within a one-year timeframe. The best solutions are considered for awards at final evaluation.