Making STRIDEs: Kerala's KTU hits inclusive innovation road to academic credits
KOCHI: In a decision that puts a stamp on the need for inclusive innovation, and, that too right at the university level, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) has formally integrated Social Technology & Research for Inclusive Design Excellence (STRIDE) into its official academic credit system --which was one of the mandates under its 2024 curriculum framework. From the next academic year, BTech, BDes, BBA and BCA students in colleges affiliated to KTU contributing to STRIDEs inclusive innovation ecosystem will earn academic credits towards the mandatory 120 activity points required for the completion of their degrees. The scheme is also applicable to students enrolled from the 2024 academic year-- as they fall under the specified curriculum framework. As per KTUs scheme handbook, the activity point system under the 2024 curriculum framework provides structured opportunities for students to build personal, professional, and societal competencies that complement their academic learning. To promote balanced and meaningful engagement, every student must earn a minimum of 120 activity points during the programme. These points are distributed across three activity groups, and students must earn at least 40 points from each group to fulfil the requirement of 3 activity credits mandated by the curriculum, the handbook says. This is where STRIDE steps in. The handbook states that students in group II stand to earn a maximum of 20 points by engaging in STRIDE innovation activity. Another advantage of the programme is that students will be awarded certificates issued by KDISC or authorised STRIDE programme officials. Under the industry exposure and innovation category, the STRIDE Designathon pathway awards five points for accepted ideas, ten points for top 100+ selection, 20 points for state-level finalists, and 35 points for state-level winners. According to Robin Tommy, executive director of STRIDE, KTU has made history by formally recognising inclusive innovation as a pathway to academic credits. STRIDE students dont just build prototypes -- they build dignity. When engineering students design and develop a 500 assistive device that replaces a 5,000 import and restores independence to a child with cerebral palsy, they learn something no textbook can teach. This is the future of engineering education, he said.
11 C
