40 BAMU teams make it to state-level Avishkar

Aurangabad: A total of 40 projects from student teams from different affiliated colleges of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University (BAMU) and its departments have been shortlisted for the state-level Avishkar competition, to be held in Pune next month.
Total 89 student teams had participated in the university-level Avishkar competition, out of which 35 were finalised for the state-level event based on their performance at the concluding of two-day event, on Wednesday.
Innovative projects in the form of live demonstrations, models and posters were put for display by students in given six categories, namely Humanities, Languages & Fine Arts, Commerce, Management & Law, Pure Sciences, Agriculture & Animal Husbandry, Engineering & Technology and Medicine and Pharmacy.
Speaking with ToI, Ratnadip Deshmukh, coordinator for Avishkar event at BAMU, said the state-level event under the Avishkar would be held at Savitribai Phule Pune University from January 15 next year.
"In the past, we have won prizes at state-level events and our student teams will repeat the feat this year too. Some of the projects finalised for state level event are really innovative and creative and would catch desired attention," he said.
Deshmukh said participation in the event has reduced slightly as compared to previous year. "The on-going engineering examinations and vacations for some colleges have kept many students away from the event. Last year around 120 student entries were registered," he said.
Then governor of Maharashtra, S.M. Krishna had initiated Avishkar, as a novel research project competition for students in 2006. The activity, which provides platform to students to showcase their creative ideas, is being implemented through Board of College and University Development. The annual event, which aims at inculcate research culture among students and encourage them for original and novel thinking, has generated a lot of enthusiasm amongst students.
While the event also seeks participation from teachers, around 11 faculties had displayed their projects in university level Avishkar competition at BAMU. Deshmukh said almost all teachers teams have made it to state-level event.
Meanwhile, speaking at the valedictory of event, BAMU vice-chancellor B A Chopade announced that a dedicated cell for Avishkar competition would be started at the university shortly. "The event, since its inception, has emerged as a great stimulus for students to think in innovative and creative way and develop original thinking. To proposed cell will help in proper coordination and conduct of the event," he said. BAMU officiating registrar Mahendra Shirsath and BCUD director K V Kale presided over the inaugural event.