Latest news with #Intellectual
New Indian Express
12-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Andhra government signs MoU with Cyient, AICTE to strengthen innovation
VIJAYAWADA: The State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cyient Foundation and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to strengthen Andhra Pradesh's innovation and startup ecosystem. The agreement was formalised in the presence of HRD and IT Minister Nara Lokesh at his residence in Undavalli, marking a crucial move to empower youth with entrepreneurial skills, and drive institutional innovation across the State. The MoU outlines the establishment of urban innovation clusters, with the first cluster being launched in Visakhapatnam. These clusters will help educational institutions evolve into hubs of entrepreneurship, innovation and intellectual property creation. Under this initiative, specialised centres such as i-CARE (Innovation Creation and Research for Entrepreneurship), i-CAFE (Idea Creation and Auxiliary Facilities for Entrepreneurship), and IPR-TT (Intellectual Property Rights and Technology Transfer) cells will be set up in colleges and universities. Lokesh asserted the government's commitment to nurturing innovation and job creation through structured partnerships. 'We are building an innovation-first economy to empower our youth,' he said. The initiative will be implemented through boot camps, hackathons, innovation fairs, entrepreneurship competitions, and mentorship programmes with industry experts.
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Business Standard
11-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Cyient, AICTE sign MoU to build innovation cluster in Visakhapatnam
Cyient Foundation, the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of Cyient Ltd., has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to establish an innovation cluster in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The MoU was signed in the presence of Nara Lokesh, Minister for Human Resources Development, IT, Electronics, and Communication. This collaboration aims to strengthen the local innovation ecosystem by transforming higher education institutions into key hubs of entrepreneurship, research, and intellectual property (IP) creation, the company said in a stock exchange filing. Focus on educational institutions and startups The pilot project will target colleges and universities in and around Visakhapatnam, positioning them as active innovation centres. It will encourage collaboration among educational institutions, industry partners, startups, and investors. As part of the initiative, a structured support system will be developed, including: * iCARE (Innovation Creation and Research for Entrepreneurship) centres * iCAFE (Idea Creation and Auxiliary Facilities for Entrepreneurship) centres * IPR-TT (Intellectual Property Rights and Technology Transfer) cells These resources will be implemented across both mentor and mentee institutions. Speaking at the event, Dr BVR Mohan Reddy, Founder Chairman of Cyient and Chief Patron of Cyient Foundation, said: 'The partnership with AICTE is a significant step towards realising India's potential as a global innovation powerhouse. By nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets and building institutional capacities, we are creating a self-sustaining model that empowers youth, encourages IP creation, and promotes meaningful collaboration between academia and industry.' The project will also include boot camps, hackathons, innovation fairs, and mentorship sessions to provide students and faculty with the skills and tools needed to build and scale innovative ideas and startups. Transformative industry-academia collaboration Dr Abhay Jere, Vice Chairman of AICTE, added: 'This partnership with Cyient Foundation exemplifies the kind of industry-academia collaboration that can transform the way educational institutions contribute to India's innovation economy. By strategically leveraging the strengths of institutions, industry, and creative youth, these clusters aim to generate a broad and lasting impact on innovation, entrepreneurship, and growth.' The Visakhapatnam city innovation cluster is expected to serve as a template for similar clusters across India. National innovation drive AICTE and the Ministry of Education's Innovation Cell are already running several national programmes, including: - The Smart India Hackathon, the world's largest open innovation challenge - Establishment of over 15,700 Institution Innovation Councils (IICs) In Andhra Pradesh alone, there are more than 1,137 IICs across both technical and non-technical institutions. Cities such as Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur, Tirupati, Kakinada, Nellore, and Anantapur are home to dense clusters of such institutions, making them ideal candidates for city-level innovation hubs. Aligned with Atma Nirbhar Bharat The MoU outlines a three-year plan, during which Cyient Foundation will offer funding and infrastructure support via its CSR programme. The initiative aligns closely with the Indian government's Atma Nirbhar Bharat vision of driving self-reliance through innovation, regional development, and capacity building.
Ottawa Citizen
05-06-2025
- Health
- Ottawa Citizen
Research yields hope a rare disorder can be treated, leaving Brockville mom optimistic
There are early signs that gene therapy can treat a rare neurodevelopmental condition, leaving a Brockville-area mother excited about the possibilities for her son. Article content 'It's more than good news,' said Kirsti Bakker, founder and president of the XLID98 Foundation, which hosted its first online symposium over the weekend. Article content Article content Hosted in Mississauga on Saturday, the eight-hour virtual conference brought together researchers, clinicians, and families affected by XLID98, an extremely rare neurodevelopmental condition. Article content Article content And its highlights included indications – albeit very preliminary – that gene therapy can prevent the condition's symptoms. Article content 'There is hope now,' Dr. Jagdeep Walia, a clinical geneticist and professor at Queen's University, said in an interview on Wednesday. Article content Walia is also the doctor dealing with Liam Bakker, 28, Mike and Kirsti Bakker's son, who was born with a rare mutation of an X-linked gene. The condition, once known as KIAA2022 but since redesignated by medical authorities as XLID98, stands for X (chromosome) Linked Intellectual Disability, the 98th of which has been categorized. Article content XLID98 has left Liam nonverbal, autistic, and physically disabled as well. While many XLID98 patients have suffered multiple seizures, Liam has only suffered two in his life so far. Article content Article content Over the years, the Brockville-area parents and their other children have put in the considerable effort required to allow Liam to live outside a group home, attend school and receive care at home. Liam currently lives in a granny suite in the family's home. Article content 'He's living and loving life, but I can tell you that it's always a struggle to maintain a full rotation of workers' who help support him, said Kirsti Bakker. Article content A 2015 article in The Recorder and Times about the family's struggle was discovered online by a family in the Netherlands, leading to a friendship with the Bakkers. From there, over the ensuing decade, the online community of XLID98 families has grown considerably. Article content As of earlier this week, Kirsti Bakker said, there were 296 people identified as having the condition, 178 females and 118 males, in 38 countries.
New Paper
20-05-2025
- New Paper
Mum of autistic twins shares pro tip: Don't be afraid to travel, just plan ahead
Travelling with a child who has special needs can be daunting - even more so when the journey involves a completely new environment, a plane ride or unpredictable crowds. So it's no surprise that many parents quietly shelve the idea of taking their children with special needs on holiday. But for Madam Nor Hafizah Abdul Ghani, a 52-year-old mother of five whose 14-year-old twins are on the autism spectrum, that has never stopped her from showing them the world. In fact, she says, it became the reason she made travelling a family habit - whether by land or air. "Although my twins were diagnosed with autism, I believe they're just like any other children - they just need more help," Madam Hafizah, a beauty business founder, told Berita Harian. "They deserve the chance to see the world, too. I don't want to be selfish and go on holiday without them just because they're autistic." So far, she has travelled with her twins overseas six times by plane and 15 times by road. However, she admitted that it took serious planning. Preparations often began as early as six months before the trip. That included choosing the most suitable flight times, crafting an itinerary that's not too packed, and factoring in her sons' preferences and sensitivities. She also prepared visual aids like the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) to help her communicate with the twins, Yousef Asir Zulkefli and Yousef Asif Zulkefli, both of whom are minimally verbal. PECS cards prepared by Madam Hafizah to help her twins communicate during their trip to Japan. PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) uses picture cards to support individuals with speech or communication difficulties. PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN "I took them to Changi Airport before the trip and explained the process so they could anticipate what would happen," she said. She also counted down the days with her twins months in advance, to help them prepare mentally, as autistic children often struggle with spontaneity. On their most recent family trip to Japan in December 2024, she also informed the airline in advance using the Disabled Passengers with Intellectual Disabilities or Developmental Needs Assistance (DPNA) code - a special request code for passengers with intellectual or developmental disabilities. With the code activated in her booking, the airline arranged for priority boarding, airport assistance and a smooth, stress-free journey. "I want the cabin crew and passengers to know I'm flying with children with special needs - in case they cry or need help. And with the DPNA code, the service was amazing, beyond what I expected," she praised. From the moment they passed through customs to collecting their luggage, everything moved quickly. Airport staff even escorted them like "bodyguards", she joked, to help them avoid long queues and stressful delays. In addition, Madam Hafizah emphasised the importance of children with special needs wearing lanyards that clearly indicate their condition. Her twins wear the green sunflower lanyard, known as the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, which serves as a discreet yet recognisable signal that they have non-visible disabilities. Attached to the lanyard is their identification card from the Developmental Disabilities Registry (DDR), administered by SG Enable. Twins Yousef Asir Zulkefli (left) and Yousef Asif Zulkefli (right) exploring Japan with their mother. PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN "I'm not ashamed. It's not about labelling my children. It's about their safety," she said She also packed noise-cancelling headphones to help the twins regulate sensory input, especially loud or unpredictable sounds, which can trigger meltdowns. Even with all the prep, she admitted it's not easy. But she's confident that the effort was worth it - not just for her twins, but for the whole family. "It strengthens our bond. It teaches my other three children how to care for their siblings and it shows them that inclusion starts at home," she said. To parents who are nervous about travelling, she offers this advice: "Don't be shy. Don't feel like you can't do it. Take it step by step. The important thing is to keep an open mind - treat the trip as a way to better understand your child." Tips for travelling with a child with special needs:
The Hindu
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Intellectual property rights in the digital age
Years and years ago, a young woman made a board game to teach people about an economic ideology and a few years down the line, a man decided to create something very similar to it and sold it to a bigger company for large profits. The woman almost got forgotten with time and it was only much more recently that a document stating her authority over the board game and its concept was found while a legal battle was happening. This was Elizabeth Magie, the inventor of the game Monopoly (initially known as The Landlord's Game). If she had not filed a copyright patent on her game in 1904, no credit would have crossed her name while turning the pages of history. It was in the 1970s that the involvement of Magie in creating Monopoly came out during a legal battle. Ralph Anspach, an economics professor and creator of the game 'Anti-Monopoly', was in a legal battle when he discovered documents that traced Monopoly's origins back to The Landlord's Game. The ideas behind a product can be just as valuable as the product itself. These ideas—ranging from inventions to creative works—are protected by Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). Intellectual Property Rights are legal rights granted to individuals or organisations over the creations of their intellect. These rights give the creator exclusive control over the use of their creations for a certain period (20 years in India), allowing them to reap economic benefits and maintain control over how their work is used or reproduced. TYPES OF IPR 1. Copyright which protects original works of authorship, such as books, music, films, software, and artwork. 2. Patents that protect inventions or new processes, granting the inventor exclusive rights to use and commercialise the innovation. 3. Trademarks which protect symbols, names, and slogans used to identify goods or services. 4. Trade secrets which protect confidential business information that provides a competitive edge, such as recipes or manufacturing techniques. 5. Industrial Design Rights to protect the aesthetic aspect of an item, such as shape, pattern, or colour. How to File for Intellectual Property Rights To file a patent in India, you'll need to prepare and submit a patent application to the Indian Patent Office (IPO). This entails a number of procedures, such as invention disclosure (a document that contains as much information as possible about your invention, such as a clear description, drawings, and claims), patentability search (a search to see if your invention is new and unprotected by existing patents), application preparation, and examination requests. The application can be submitted in person or online. Examples of patented content around us! Throughout history, intellectual property rights have played a vital role in protecting the creative and financial interests of content creators. For example, if Walt Disney had not safeguarded characters like Mickey Mouse through trademark protection, ensuring that only Disney could license and monetise them, they would not have been able to build such a strong empire today. A GI tagged product (Geographical Indicator) refers to a product having a specific country or place considered as the place of origin of that product. Intellectual Property Rights are the backbone of creative and innovative economies. They ensure that creators—from writers and musicians to inventors and designers—receive recognition and compensation for their work. Understanding how to file for these rights and securing them appropriately is essential for protecting both creative integrity and potential income. As digital technology makes content reproduction easier than ever, the role of IPR in protecting originality and promoting innovation has never been more critical. With creators and influencers calling out each other for imitating trends and ideas, it's all the more important to understand the concept of intellectual property rights.
