Knowledge Network

&

Industry CONNECT

(KNIC)

Concept Note

by

Technopark-TBI

Technopark

Trivandrum, Kerala, India

www.technoparktbi.org

www.technopark.org

www.knic.in

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1. Executive Summary…………………………………………….…………………………………………………..…03 2. Initiative Partners ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..04 3. The need of Industry mentoring………………………….…………………………………………………….06 4. Methodology…………………………………………………………………………………………………..….…….06 5. Industry CONNECT………………………………………………………………………………………..…….…….08 6. Knowledge Network………………………………………………………………………………….…………..…..09 7. smartClassroom……………..………………………………….……….……………………………………..……..09 8. Implementation Action Plan……………………………………..………………………………………..……..10 9. Advantages……………………………………………………………….…………………………………….……..….10 10. Inputs from college…………………………………………………….…………………………………..…………11 11. Finance……………………………………………………………………………………………...........................11 12. Course & Certifications…………………………………………………..……………………………….…………11 13. Other Terms & Conditions……………………..………………………………………………………...……….11 14. How to apply…………………………………………….……………………………………………………………….12 15. Annexure –I: Video Conference Structure……………………………………………….…………………13 16. Annexure –II: eLearning Screen Shots………………………………………………………….…………….13 17. Annexure –III: eLearning Architecture………..……………………………………………………………..14 18. Annexure –III: KNIC in the media………………….……………………………………………………………15

Index of Contents

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1. Executive Summary

Various industry sectors require talents with the solidity of domain knowledge

blended with contemporary skills. But there is a huge gap exists between Industry demands and

Academia delivery. In view of this emerging skill gap, Technopark-TBI (Technopark-Technology Business

Incubator) in association with leading industry bodies is taking an innovative initiative to connect

academia and the industry closer. The program aims to deepen the industry-academia relationship, and

create a strong foundation for the emerging knowledge economy in India.

The knowledge should be the major assets for all educational Institutions. But most of the

colleges don’t have proper Knowledge management systems to archive their knowledge inventories. The

moment, a student graduated out of campus or a faculty getting moved to another organization, the

knowledge efforts/researches undergone by them will be wasted.

Knowledge Network & Industry CONNECT is a joint initiative between Technopark-TBI and leading

Industry bodies. It will have all the necessary facilities to mentor & transform the students in various

domains within the college itself through a high LIVE Video conference and Smart Classrooms. Through

this innovative program the students are directly mentored by the industry experts so that the students

will get a real exposure of the industry process and right industry mentoring. With the help of Knowledge

Network the Knowledge repository management System, all academic activities of the students and

teachers will be managed and achieved properly, so that the knowledge asset can be achieved properly

for the effective reuse.

The students have the advantage of becoming industry ready while still in college and do not have

to look for Training Institutes outside the college. The proposed project makes the investment of

technology up gradation at colleges to enable an intelligent learning environment at the campus. We

conduct systematic interventions like Live Industry connect Classes, Faculty Development Programs to

bring the corporate and academia closer. There will be many Technopark-TBI Certified courses associated

with this platform through which the students can enhance their competencies in line with the industry

demand.

Through this program the college will be equipped with:

- Video Conferencing and smart class room Facilities - Managed eLearning Platform for knowledge Management - Knowledge sharing from the Industry - Continuous interaction with Industry Experts

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2. Initiative Partners

2.1 Technopark

Technopark, Trivandrum, an autonomous society promoted by the Government of Kerala, is

India's first technology park and among the three largest IT parks in India today. This is the first CMMI

Level 4 assessed Technology Park. Spread over 300 acres, and about 2.1 m. sq.ft. of built-up space,

Technopark hosts over 120 IT and ITES companies, including 6 CMMI Level 5, 2 CMMI Level 3 and

several ISO 9000 certified companies, employing over 15,000 IT Professionals. The select list of

companies working at Technopark include Ernst & Young Middle East, Tata Elxsi, UST Global,

Network Systems & Technologies, IBS, RR Donnelley Global BPO, Suntec, GCI Enterprise Solutions, TCS,

Infosys Technologies, Allianz Cornhill, RM ESI, Alamy Images, Kanoo Group and Toonz.

2.2 Technopark-Technology Business Incubator (T-TBI)

Technopark-TBI has been inspiring the young talents of Kerala to transform themselves

into “Job Creators‟ rather than “Job Seekers‟. It motivates to transform their Innovations into commercial

products and guide and nurture them to emerge as successful entrepreneurs. Technopark being the

first and greenest IT Park in the country proved to have provided the most conducive working

environment for a Technology Business Incubator to developing in-house entrepreneurs by supporting

their innovations through incubation.

Technopark Technology Business Incubator (T-TBI) is a joint initiative of Technopark, Trivandrum

and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. T-TBI is a registered as

a Society on 7th June 2006 under Travancore-Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies

Registration Act Number XII of 1955.

The T-TBI is acting as a platform for the new and innovative entrepreneurs to develop their ideas

into products and services and build businesses out of them. Unlike other business incubators,

Technopark- TBI is unique in itself because of its novelty in spreading techno-entrepreneurship among the

students and innovators. Technopark TBI is the pioneer in introducing and organizing various programmes

like Technopreneur workshops, Entrepreneurship Awareness Camps, Entrepreneurship Development

Programmes, residential Faculty Development Programmes, Bar camps, Boot camps, One-to-one and

panel discussions, Software Engineering workshops, online mentoring and networking, TechTop the all

India student project competition with highest prize money, Engineering students‟ project exhibitions,

Entrepreneurship Development Cells, TBI Extension Centres, Virtual Incubation and Pre-incubation

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facilities. Besides, Technopark TBI is financially supporting the „budding Technopreneur‟ through Seed

Support System and molding them technically to become successful entrepreneurs. It is a matter of pride

that Technopark-TBI bagged the National Award for the Best Technology Business Incubator in India for

the year 2007.

2.3 National Centre for Innovation Incubation & Entrepreneurship (NCIIE)

NCIIE (National Centre for Innovation Incubation & Entrepreneurship) is a joint association

between Indian Institute of Information technology and management-Kerala (IIITM-K) and

Entrepreneurship Development institute of India (EDII) with the support of National Science and

Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB), Department of Science & Technology, Govt.

of India. NCIIE assists potential entrepreneurs to take up entrepreneurship in the area of Information and

Communication Technologies (ICT).

2.4 Technopark Software Engineering Competency Centre (TSECC)

TSECC (Technopark Software Engineering Competency Centre) is a software testing facility set up

by Technopark jointly with Rational Software to provide high end software testing tool facility that

is unaffordable for a business startup and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in their early

stages. TSECC facilitates bridging the gap between theoretical learning and practical implementation of

best practices of software development through Rational‟s software engineering tools. Rational India

provides the entire library of rational tools, solution samples, product demos, white papers and other

necessary collateral. TSECC holds rational Certified professionals who handhold and provide guidance to

visitors coming to centre, and as such responsible for the operation of the centre ensuring customer

satisfaction. M/s Se-Mentor is co-ordinating the TSECC activities. TSECC is conducting Software

Engineering Training courses for Incubatee companies and their employees in the State and for

other TBIs and STEPs outside the State as part of our Skill Development Programmes.

2.5 The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE)

The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) is a global not-for-profit organization focused on

promoting entrepreneurship. T E helps budding entrepreneurs by way of advice, guidance and

assistance from successful and experienced professionals and entrepreneurs from different industries.

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3. The need of Industry Mentoring

Various governmental and trade agencies including NASSCOM,CII etc have identified a wide

gap between supply and demand of trained IT manpower. At the same time we hear that the country

has the Second largest pool of science and technology personnel. Probably the paradox lies in not having

the right stuff in the right place at the right time.

Thousands of young talents walking out of our professional colleges looking out for a career

in the industry doesn't match the needs of the corporate world. In the current scenario of growth and

change, the organizations worldwide are on the lookout for real professionals who can sharpen the

companies' competitive edge further. Industry CONNECT is intended to make available quality freshers

with all skill sets required for the industry. This will enable the companies to utilize the capabilities of the

new recruits from the first day on. ie, with zero billable time.

Industry’s objective is profit, time schedules are rigid, research interests are specific in nature with

a long- term interest, team work and confidentiality are the norms. Academia’s objective is peer

professional respect, time schedules are more relaxed, research interests are generic in nature

with a short-term interest, isolated working and urge to publish are the norms. However, industry

and academia have to work in tandem for the continued growth of the economy and developing socially

responsible citizens.

We recognize the constraints of an educational system to address this issue with a 360 degree

perspective. Through this program we bring out the connectivity partner for Academia, Industry and

Professional bodies there by the bridge the academia and industry closer.

4. The Methodology

We follow a Blended Learning Concept wherein a right mixture of Live classes, E-learning and

Industry interactions will be utilized, thereby giving the students all the right ingredients required to

make them industry ready.

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The breakup of the methodology is as follows:

The students get to interact with industry experts and top notch professionals/domain experts,

thus helping the student to get firsthand knowledge of the technology and industry process. The

Program blended with right mixture e-learning, and live classes. Intensive Trainings are provided to

give the required foundation for the students to tackle the industry Requirements. Following is the

blend of the delivery.

LIVE Classes

Live class room sessions by experts in the field will be conducted in the college campus itself.

Leading CxOs and Industry experts will be taking these classes. Students will have the opportunity to

clear doubts and share their new ideas with the experts during these LIVE Interactive sessions. Through

the Interactive Smart Classroom at the college, students can know all that you want about a

subject. We believe in making better education reach all those needed in the best affordable way

irrespective of geographic locations. There will be minimum 4 expert classes of duration of 0.30 to 1.30

hrs in every month.

e- Learning

Simply defined, e-learning refers to “the use of digital technologies and media to deliver learning”.

It is considered to be an innovative approach to the old “distance education” concept where interactivity

is a core element. The use of e-learning may assist with that regard, by providing content through visual

graphics, text, audio learner learn by seeing, listening and reading. Simulations, interactive activities and

games enable learners to hear, see, practice and even speak thus, increasing retention rate. One can

access the entire knowledge bank with just a click.

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5. Industry CONNECT - The 24x7 Industry Connected Campus

KNIC Technology platform is a state-of-the-art learning environments that leverages the advances

in technology without losing the advantages of traditional methods of teaching to impart high-

quality learning experience. KNIC Communication Infrastructure blends the strengths of traditional

methods of education with the advantages of technology enabled learning. The Infrastructure

consists of two elements- Industry CONNECT with Live Audio/Video Interaction and eLearning platform

for Campus Knowledge Management.

Industry CONNECT

KNIC leverages the power of IP based Video Conferencing technology to provide an interactive

learning platform. This Live and Interactive Learning Platform enables students to have engaging

interface with industry experts and SMEs across the world. There will be weekly activities through this

program.

As part of this platform, KNIC project deploys state-of-the-art multi-media enabled Digital

classrooms in selected colleges for this program. This platform allows both the industry expert and the

students from partnering institution to visually see each other and interact in real-time as happens

in a regular classroom.

State-of-the-art Studios : Industry domain experts use the state-of-the-art studio that set up

at Technopark allows them to use presentations, audio and digital content, whiteboard and

live feeds to effectively interact with the students for most effective learning. The LIVE interactive

sessions will be fed to the Interactive Smart Classroom enabled campuses who participate in this

program.

Interactive Smart Classrooms : The students at the colleges attend the LIVE Industry

CONNECT sessions in an interactive smartClassrooms. These classrooms are equipped with

Dedicated Internet Connection and facilities for audio, video and data sharing, audio and video

recording and projection system. The Virtual Classroom makes the experience of real time

Interactions with world class experts.

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The experts from the various eminent companies will be in direct contact with the

students/teachers. There by the industry-academia relations can be strengthen on a continuous mode.

Apart from the above classes there will be LIVE classes associated with many industry related

courses, those classes will be scheduled in the Saturdays. Students can attend the same with the

permission from the college management.

6. Knowledge Network

Knowledge Network is meant for Knowledge Sharing Learning, Interaction and Collaboration.

Each student gets access to Knowledge Portal (Hub) where the student gets world class learning materials

from the Industry, faculties & peer groups. And each student will get a personalized learning

experience. The structured courses in the e-Learnig portal leverages assess-learn-assess methodology.

Apart from getting personalized feedback, each student gets regular comprehensive reports on the

performance and areas of improvement. For the faculties it will act as the major Knowledge repository

and learning Management Platform. They can use this platform to distribute the Notes, collect

Assignments, Track the Academic Performance of a student etc.

The Mode of operation

a) Each college will have one Interactive smartClassroom and an eLearning Knowledge Server

b) The servers will be implemented in highly secured Technopark Data Center.

c) Each student and Teacher will get a User ID & password to login to the portal.

The students/teachers can access the content through internet.

7. Interactive smartClassroom

For the smooth execution of the project we propose the implementation of a

smartClassroom at the campus who participate for this Program. Through this smartClassroom facility,

an industry expert will be taking classes from his office and that will be directly broadcasted to the

college in a LIVE manner. Student will get an opportunity to interact with him/her through this

innovative platform. Smartguruji Learning Systems, a pioneer in the eLearning domain will be

implementing the same.

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KNIC smart Calssroom will have following components:-

Daylight LCD Projector/ LCD TV

Video Conference Software

Wireless Audio System

Training & Support

The college has to provide 2Mbps dedicated internet connection and Uninterrupted Power

Supply for the smartCalssroom. This smartCalassroom will be a temporary arrangement and after the

project execution time the components should be returned to Technopark-TBI/ Implementing Agency.

The college has to provide 2Mbps dedicated internet connection and Uninterrupted Power

Supply for the smartCalssroom. This smartCalassroom will be a temporary arrangement and after the

project execution time the components should be returned to Technopark-TBI/ Implementing Agency.

Sample Weekly LIVE session Schedule. (Actual Schedule will be fixed as per the convenience of

the partnering Institutions)

Day Activity Start Time End Time Duration

Thursday Skill Enhancement Session 1.00pm 1.45 pm 45 minutes

8. Implementation Action Plan

1. College will allocate one date for KNIC Campaign in College

2. College/KNIC Ambassadors will collect the Fee* from interested students & will remit to Technopark-TBI

3. Technopark-TBI will sign an MoU with College

4. T-TBI will allocate user ID/Password to all students & will initiate the program officially.

09. Advantages

Industry Certification by Technopark-TBI/NCIIE & which is valid in leading MNCs

World class Skill Education at affordable cost

Technology/Knowledge transfer from pioneers in the industry

Mentoring/Consultation from industry experts

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Advantage to COLLEGE

Knowledge management & industry CONNECT with Technopark-TBI

Industry Exposure to the Students

Entrepreneurship Development Club powered by Technopark-TBI

Enhanced Skill Set & Talent pool

Industry ready talent pool

Better Career opportunities for students

10. Inputs from College

2 Mbps Dedicated Internet Connection.

Projector, Computer and Audio System for the Smart Classroom

A d d i t i o n a l Facilities for smartClassroom (Power Supply, 45 Seated Classroom )

Timely feedback for the smooth function of the program.

11. Finance

- The Fee will be 1500/student for one Academic year (2 Semester)

- Rs.500 will be college‟s share against facility utilization charges

12. Course & Certifications

1. Corporate Skill Bridging Course (Basic) 25 Hrs

1 year Duration

Course Certifications

- TBI initiated Courses are certified by NCIIE/TSEC/ Technopark TBI/ IITM-K

Eligibility Criteria

- Students pursuing their BE/B.Tech in any branches can apply for this program

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13. Other Terms & Conditions Prices

1. All payments will have to be by DD or Cheque, in favor of “Technopark-TBI” payable at

Trivandrum.

2. The college has to provide the basic facilities like Projector, Computer, Audio System

Power Supply, Classroom (Min 45 Seater), 2 Mbps Internet Connection for the smart Classroom

implementation.

Training

3. Partnering Institution will have to provide necessary infrastructure for training.

4. All users of KNIC are being expected to agree to the KNIC User License Agreement.

Terms & Conditions

- There is a fair enrolment policy of minimum 200 students per year per Campus for the TBI

Certification Program.

- Responsibility of the institution includes the collection of the eLearning course fee, provide the

details of the enrolled students in soft copy formats and provide the Lab facilities for the

enrolled students.

14. How to Apply

Technopark-TBI will conduct an orientation program for the students of the interested

colleges. If there are sufficient students interested for this program, an MoU will be signed with the

college and Technopark-TBI and the systems will be implemented in 30-45 Days time.

15. Contact Persons for KNIC

Project Coordinator

Mr. Arun Balachandran

Ph: +91-9809000700

arun@innovationlab.in

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Annexure-1 Interactive SmartClassroom Structure

College SmartClassroom

Technopark /industry

Studio

Annexure-2 eLearning Screen Shots

Student Login page of eLearning Portal

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eLearning Objects

Annexure-3 eLearning Architechture

KNIC

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Annexure-4 In the Media

From Right: Hon. Chief Minister, Mr. Mervin Alexander (CEO Technopark), M r. Arun Balachandran (CEO, innovation Lab), Dr. Avasthi (Director, EDII), Mr. H.K. Mittal (Head-NSTEDB, DST-Govt. Of India), Mr. KCC Nair (CFO, Technopark)

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Online Coverage

1. http://english.manoramaonline.com/cgi- bin/mmonline.dll/portal/ep/contentView.do?contentId=9032935&tabId=1&channelId=- 1073865032&programId=1080127257&BV_ID=@@@ 2. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/info- tech/article1564730.ece 3. http://headlinesindia.mapsofindia.com/business-news/information- technology/technoparktbic-to-bridge-industryacademia-gap-78744.html 4. http://www.cisco.com/web/IN/about/network/academia_partnerships.html 5. http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/technopark-starts-mentoring- mechanism-for-engg-graduates/429522/ 6. http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article1567083.ece 7. http://education.mathrubhumi.com/php/news_events_details.php?nid=21329 8. http://in.finance.yahoo.com/news/Technopark-TBIC-bridge-ians- 1144348960.html?x=0 9. http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/Science/20110323/1715065.html 10. http://news.chennaionline.com/newsitem.aspx?NEWSID=9c03fb9a-a4f3-4583- b42c-3e22595e244c&CATEGORYNAME=South 11. http://www.sify.com/finance/technopark-tbic-to-bridge-industry-academia-gap- news-default-ldxtuoaifji.html

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12. http://www.sify.com/topics/Technopark-Technology-Business-Incubation- Centre.html 13. http://www.inewsone.com/2011/03/23/technopark-tbic-to-bridge-industry- academia-gap/37773 14. http://newshopper.sulekha.com/technopark-tbic-to-bridge-industry-academia- gap_news_1282132.htm 15. http://www.prokerala.com/news/articles/a210469.html 16. http://cms.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=NewsDetails&NewsID=8032

17. http://www.mynucleus.org/story/2011/03/23/_finance_technopark_tbic_to_bridge _ 18. http://www.newkerala.com/news/world/fullnews-174596.html 19. http://indiaeduguide.blogspot.com/2011/03/technopark-tbic-to-bridge- industry.html 20. http://www.onenewspage.in/news/Asia-Pacific/20110323/20766241/Technopark- TBIC-to-bridge-industry-academia-gap.htm 21. http://us2india.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=398243 22. http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=97701&n_tit=Technopark- TBIC+to+Bridge+Industry-Academia+Gap 23. http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/technopark-tbic-to-bridge- industry-academia-gap_100517519.html 24. http://www.india-forums.com/news/business/320626-technopark-tbic-to-bridge- industry-academia-gap.htm 25. http://www.allvoices.com/news/8563005-technoparktbic-to-bridge- industryacademia-gap 26. http://www.deathset.co.uk/technology/technopark-tbic-to-bridge-industry- academia-gap 27. http://www.prokerala.com/news/articles/a210469.html 28. http://feedhttp://andhravilas.com/newsdetail/497129/Technopark-TBIC-to-bridge- industry-academia-gap.htmls.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=759206 29. http://us2india.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=398243