Micro Ideathon on Design Thinking

The School of Science at CHRIST University, Pune Lavasa Campus, successfully organized an engaging and insightful event on Design Thinking, with a focus on developing entrepreneurial skills and understanding the structure and process of design thinking. The event was aimed at fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities among students. It was attended by students from BSc Data Science (DS), BSc Economics and Analytics (EA), and Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA). The event took place in the Central Block Smart Room, providing an interactive and collaborative space for discussion and learning.

The event commenced with a warm welcome speech delivered by Ms. Anjali, a student from 4th semester BSc Economics and Analytics. She set the tone for the session by highlighting the importance of design thinking in today’s fast-paced and dynamic world, especially for budding entrepreneurs. Following her address, the session moved towards the core agenda: inviting student volunteers to pitch their innovative business ideas, along with their thought process behind executing them.

The first pitch was presented by Mr. Rayan Chacko, who shared his innovative and practically implemented business model. His idea revolves around a vehicle-providing agency that acts as an intermediary between students in need of transportation and individuals interested in renting out their vehicles. Mr. Rayan explained how this initiative not only helps in bridging the gap between demand and supply but also creates a trustworthy ecosystem for vehicle sharing within the student community.

The second pitch was delivered by Mr. Abhinav, a postgraduate student from MSc Data Science. He introduced an idea centered around using Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and building AI software. His concept focused on leveraging advanced AI techniques to enhance data retrieval and generate more contextually relevant information for users. The idea was aimed at improving decision-making processes and providing intelligent solutions in various domains.

After the presentations, Mr. Abdul Kareem, Lead Software Engineer - Fraud Surveillance and Visualization at JPMorgan and an alumnus of CHRIST University, provided valuable feedback on the ideas pitched. He shared insights on how these concepts could be taken to the next level and potentially turned into viable businesses. Mr. Kareem emphasized the role of design thinking in the industry, explaining that it is not just a theoretical concept but a practical approach that plays a crucial role in project development and problem-solving.

He also encouraged students to cultivate critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are becoming increasingly essential in today’s competitive professional landscape. Mr. Kareem elaborated on how design thinking fosters innovation by enabling individuals to empathise with users, define problems clearly, ideate solutions, prototype them effectively, and test them in real-world scenarios.

Towards the end of the session, an interactive Q&A was held. Students actively participated by posing thought-provoking questions, such as how an innately creative person can further enhance their abilities through the practice of design thinking. Mr. Kareem addressed their queries by emphasizing the importance of continuous learning, collaboration, and openness to feedback in mastering the design thinking approach.

The event concluded on a high note, leaving the participants inspired and motivated to explore entrepreneurial opportunities through the lens of design thinking.