Shirpur, 22nd September, 2023 : Two talented students from NMIMS University, Ms. Amruta Mali and Ms. Poonam Patil, pursuing their Final Year B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture at the School of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Shirpur, have emerged as shining stars at the SmartIdeathon Competition, held at GITAM University Hyderabad. This prestigious event was organized in collaboration with Startup India, IIC, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India, and Northeastern University, Boston, USA, drawing participants from universities and institutes across the country.
Amruta and Poonam, the founders of Agro-India, an initiative under SVKM’s NMIMS – School of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Shirpur, showcased their praiseworthy innovation during the competition. They presented a board game which has evolved into a comprehensive simulation of the agricultural ecosystem. This game captures the intricacies of crop management, resource allocation, and market dynamics in an appealing and educational manner.
The SmartIdeathon Competition, a ‘Student pitching competition,’ saw the duo advance to the final rounds, securing a coveted position among the Top 8 Finalists from participants across the nation.
The competition drew participants from diverse fields of study and was a vindication of the power of ideas and their potential to bring about big change in the industries. The students’ passion for agriculture and strategic thinking resulted in a concept that combined these two elements into an agriculture-based board game. The process involved refining the game mechanics, designing the board, and devising challenges that tested their innovation and creativity.
For the two students, reaching the top 8 is not only a personal victory, but also a validation of the numerous hours they spent brainstorming, designing, and refining the game. It speaks volumes about their capability for interdisciplinary thinking and the ability to bridge gaps between traditional industries and modern innovation.
Dr. Suseelendra Desai, Dean, School of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, expressed his pride for the students’ achievement and said, “Amruta and Poonam’s outstanding achievement at the SmartIdeathon Competition highlights NMIMS University’s firm belief in promoting innovation and nurturing their creativity. I am certain that this is only the beginning of their journey and they will go on to win many more accolades.”
About SAST:
School of Agricultural Sciences & Technology (SAST), Shirpur is the first School of Agriculture under SVKM’s NMIMS to be started in 2019 to bring prosperity to the small and marginal farm holders. The School focuses on teaching, research and outreach, the three arms of agricultural research and education to meet the stakeholders’ aspirations with more participatory devolutions. The School has air-conditioned class rooms with smart boards, 117 acres of farm, and fully-equipped laboratories. The integrated campus set-up provides an opportunity for the students to get exposed to engineering & pharmacy faculties and thus promote holistic development. The robust agricultural education curriculum in line with national agricultural education systems as recommended by the ICAR provides a platform where knowledge, resources and opportunities to address aspects of enhanced farm productivity, profitability and sustainable livelihoods. The skills of the students are honed in basic and applied aspects of agriculture and allied sectors; constant practical hand-holding; and assurance of learning to develop into future researchers or entrepreneurs. The students involve in experiential learning projects and agro-industrial attachments for beyond academic expertise. NMIMS’s SAST is focused to give an extra mile to the knowledge and career of graduates because we help them think both critically and creatively, and to express with energy, precision, and dynamism.
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