GITAM students get APSCHE Student Innovation Award from Chief Minister

NEW DELHI: A team of student innovators from GITAM’s (Deemed to be University) has received the APSCHE Student Innovation Award. The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy presented the award to the team.

The team -- COACT comprises K Ushashasri Devi and P Sushma Devi from GITAM School of Business, along with M Rahul from GITAM Institute of Technology. Their innovation, called Beye, aims to tackle menstrual hygiene challenges faced by visually-challenged girls and women.

The APSCHE Student Innovation Award is organized annually by the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) to recognize and promote innovative ideas and projects developed by students in the state.

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COACT gave practical solutions and effective problem-solving. The team received guidance and support from GITAM's Venture Development Centre (VDC), a platform that nurtures various entrepreneurial activities on campus, led by a team of trained and verified venture coaches, alongside an entirely student-run E-Club.

Balkumar G Marthi, dean of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, said, "I am absolutely thrilled to see our VDC Student Venture Team members K Ushashri Devi, P Sushma Devi, and M Rahul being recognized and receiving a cash award from the Andhra Pradesh Government.”

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“Their winning idea addresses an issue of great social importance, focusing on feminine hygiene solutions. Despite facing several hurdles, the potential to help society makes their efforts worthwhile. Congratulations to the VDC Coaches, Gayathri, and Chandrika, for providing constant and high-quality coaching support." further added the dean.

The team’s achievement will inspire other students to explore their potential and contribute to the nation's development. The team aims to develop the prototype into a market-ready product that can benefit society.

The COACT team thanked everyone and stated, "We are honored to be a part of VDC, which has paved the way for our success. This journey has been incredible, starting from being finalists of the APSCHE Excellence Award to receiving the prestigious award from the Chief Minister, Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, sir."

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Sreedevi Devireddy, the director of Venture Development Centre, said "India is home to one-third of the world's blind population, with approximately 12 million individuals with visual impairment, as reported by the National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB).

“We are immensely proud of our students for winning such a prestigious award. It is heartening to see today's youth being aware and empathetic toward individuals with different abilities and challenges. This inclusive attitude will undoubtedly define their success in life" further stated the director.