The inauguration of the AICTE IDEA Lab at SurTech held on 11th February 2026 received wide media attention and was featured in several leading newspapers. The coverage highlighted the institute’s initiative towards promoting innovation, hands-on learning, entrepreneurship, and industry-oriented research among students.
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About AICTE IDEA Lab
The AICTE IDEA Lab at SurTech has been established to promote innovation, hands-on learning, and interdisciplinary research among students and faculty members. The lab provides a platform where ideas can be transformed into prototypes and real-life technological solutions.
The lab was inaugurated on 11th February 2026 and aims to encourage design thinking, product development, and problem-solving skills through modern fabrication and characterization facilities. The IDEA Lab bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical implementation by enabling students to design, test, and validate engineering concepts.
The facility is open to all departments to promote collaborative and multidisciplinary innovation culture.
Infrastructure & Ecosystem
The AICTE IDEA Lab has been established in a dedicated space of more than 12,000 sq. ft., where all laboratories, fabrication facilities, design spaces, and innovation areas are integrated under one roof. In addition, interested industries associated as MoU partners under the Centre of Excellence (CoE) are also accommodated within the same facility, creating a unified academic–industry innovation ecosystem that promotes collaborative research, prototyping, and product development
Our SURTECH AICTE IDEA Lab is a multidisciplinary innovation and prototyping space designed to support idea-to-product development, hands-on learning, and research-driven innovation. The following state-of-the-art facilities are available for students, faculty, and innovators
- 1) Rapid Prototyping & Fabrication Facilities
- 3D Printers (FDM/FFF) for rapid model and functional prototype development
- Laser Cutting & Engraving Machine for acrylic, MDF, plywood, and design panels
- CNC Milling / Routing Machine for precision mechanical components
- PCB Prototyping & Electronics Fabrication Tools
- 2) IOT Lab
- Arduino, Raspberry Pi, NodeMCU & ESP Boards
- Sensors, actuators, motor drivers, relays, and IoT modules
- Power supplies, oscilloscopes, multimeters & soldering stations
- Embedded programming and IoT system development setup
- 3) Robotics, Drones & Automation
- Robotics kits and autonomous system platforms
- Drone testing & propulsion analysis rigs (safe indoor testing)
- Automation and control system experimentation
- 4) Mechanical & Electrical Workshop
- Portable welding machine & metal joining tools
- Table saw, drilling machine, grinders, and cutting tools
- Complete set of hand tools & measuring instruments
- Assembly and mechanical integration workspace
- 5) Innovation, Start-up & Skill Development Support
- Idea validation and prototype-to-MVP development support
- Assistance for hackathons, competitions, and research projects
- Interdisciplinary collaboration space
- Alignment with Make in India & Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives
- 6) Industry–Academia Involvement in AICTE IDEA Lab
- Industry mentors & MoUs support real-world problem statements and projects
- Joint R&D, internships & live projects for hands-on industry exposure
- Start-up, innovation & skill development aligned with Make in India initiatives
The AICTE IDEA Lab regularly conducts academic, outreach, and skill-development programmes to promote innovation, hands-on learning, and interdisciplinary research.
- Inauguration Ceremony – The AICTE IDEA Lab was inaugurated on 11th February 2026 in the presence of distinguished academicians and industry experts.
- Industry/Institute Lab Visit – B.Tech students from Greater Kolkata College of Engineering and Management visited the lab on 21st February 2026 for exposure to advanced fabrication and prototyping facilities.
- Faculty Development Programme (FDP) – Conducted once every month to train faculty members in emerging technologies, instrumentation handling, and research methodologies.
- School Outreach Programme – Weekly visits by school students to encourage early interest in science, engineering, and innovation-based learning.
- Advanced Training Programme for B.Tech Students – Organized every two months focusing on hands-on skill development, design thinking, prototyping, and research applications.
- Technical Workshops – Conducted in alternate months on topics such as electronics prototyping, IoT, materials fabrication, 3D printing, and entrepreneurship.
Industry Collaborations
The AICTE IDEA Lab at SURTECH actively fosters strong industry-academia partnerships to provide real-world exposure, live projects, mentorship, internships, and alignment with industry needs. These collaborations support innovation, skill development, and prototype-to-product journeys for students and faculty.
Current and ongoing industry collaborators include:
- TVS Motors
- IPESP Development Solutions
- Livid Design Inc.
- Megh Robotics Pvt. Ltd
- LOGICZAP
- BOSCH (In process)
These partnerships enable joint R&D, industry problem statements, mentorship programs, and hands-on training aligned with Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
Contact Information
For inquiries about the AICTE IDEA Lab, collaborations, events, or facility access, feel free to reach out via email.