R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, SEPT 18
What happens when classroom ideas meet advanced laboratories, industry expertise and the freedom to experiment? Easwari Engineering College, Ramapuram, is seeking to create that pathway from learning to real-world innovation with the inauguration of the SRM Easwari Innovation Centre, a dedicated ecosystem designed to bring research, entrepreneurship and industry-oriented education closer to students.
P. Viswanathan, Minister for Higher Education, Government of Tamil Nadu, inaugurated the centre on Friday in the presence of Dr R. Shivakumar, M.D. and Chairman; Geetha Shivakumar, Vice-Chairperson; S. Niranjan, Co-Chairman, SRM Group of Institutions, Chennai, Ramapuram and Trichy; and Dr P. Deiva Sundari, Principal, Easwari Engineering College.
- Higher Education Minister P. Viswanathan inaugurates Innovation Centre at Easwari Engineering College, Ramapuram
- ₹1.5-crore contribution by SRM Easwari Alumni Association supports construction of dedicated innovation infrastructure
- PCB, 3D printing, machinery and fabrication facilities to strengthen hands-on, industry-oriented learning
- Easwari StartupTN Pre-Incubation Centre and Startup Peravai launched to nurture entrepreneurial ideas
- Technology partnerships, Centres of Excellence and student innovations anchor the institution’s expanding innovation ecosystem
The initiative marks a significant step in the institution’s efforts to strengthen experiential learning, multidisciplinary research and student entrepreneurship, with specialised laboratories and startup-focused initiatives forming the core of the new facility.
Alumni contribution strengthens innovation infrastructure
A major highlight of the initiative is the ₹1.5-crore contribution by the SRM Easwari Alumni Association towards the construction of the Innovation Centre building.
The contribution reflects the alumni community’s commitment to strengthening the institution’s infrastructure and creating a dedicated space for innovation, learning and industry-oriented development.
The inauguration ceremony commenced with the formal opening of the centre, followed by the unveiling of its board, lighting of the traditional kuthuvilakku and pooja rituals.
Specialised labs bring innovation closer to students
The programme also witnessed the inauguration of several specialised facilities, including the PCB Lab, 3D Printing Lab, Machinery Lab and Wood Cutter & FAB Room.
These facilities are intended to provide students with opportunities to move beyond theoretical learning and engage in practical experimentation, prototyping and the development of technology-based solutions.
The addition of these laboratories is expected to support hands-on learning and encourage students to translate their ideas into tangible projects.
Startup initiatives to nurture entrepreneurial ideas
A key component of the centre’s launch was the introduction of the Easwari StartupTN – Pre-Incubation Centre, aimed at providing an enabling ecosystem for nurturing innovative ideas and entrepreneurial initiatives.
The Startup Peravai – A Startup Conclave was also launched, further reinforcing the institution’s focus on student entrepreneurship and innovation.
Together, these initiatives seek to provide a platform for students to explore entrepreneurial possibilities, develop ideas and engage with the wider startup ecosystem.
Technology partnerships expand industry interface
The Innovation Centre is supported by an extensive network of Centres of Excellence associated with leading technology companies, including ABB Robotics, Ansys, Cadence, Ciklum, Cisco, Hitachi, Johnson Controls, Keysight, Microchip, Nokia, Oracle, Red Hat, Siemens, Synopsys, Motherson, Silicon Labs, Econ Systems, Multicoreware and Xilinx, among others.
The institution also has industrial collaborations involving organisations such as Deller, Faurecia, Kone Elevator, Grundfos, Fujitec, Bosch, Toyota Connected, TVS, Nokia and Decathlon.
These industry associations provide a foundation for connecting academic learning with technological developments and industrial applications.
The centre’s combination of specialised laboratories, Centres of Excellence and industry collaborations is expected to facilitate experiential learning, multidisciplinary research and the development of industry-ready solutions.
Student innovations take centre stage
The event concluded with a showcase of student innovations, highlighting the institution’s efforts to empower young innovators and encourage practical applications of engineering knowledge.
The showcase also underscored the role of student-led experimentation in an educational environment increasingly shaped by technological advancement, entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary problem-solving.
With the inauguration of the SRM Easwari Innovation Centre, Easwari Engineering College is seeking to strengthen the links between academic learning, technological innovation and entrepreneurial thinking—creating a platform where students can explore how ideas developed in classrooms and laboratories can evolve into solutions for real-world challenges.
