Chitkara University Launches Research Challenge NOVATE+ 2020 to Fight COVID-19

Chitkara University today announced its annual innovation challenge NOVATE+ 2020 to solve problems originating because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In its effort to support the National fight against COVID-19 leveraging innovations, Chitkara University, through NOVATE+ 2020, aims to help support and accelerate research by sponsoring prizes and funds worth INR 1 crore.

As the world struggles to come out of the precarious situation caused by COVID-19 pandemic, Chitkara University looks for ideas and technologies that will protect human lives, change human behaviour and enhance knowledge. NOVATE+ 2020 is calling students/faculty members/innovators/ entrepreneurs from any institution/university in India to participate in NOVATE⁺ 2020. For more details on submitting the entries, the enthusiasts can visit www.chitkara.edu.in/novate2020.

NOVATE+ 2020 is conceptualized around the theme “Prayerise – Picturise – Actualize”. Under Prayerise section, participants can submit ideas related to novel ways to think and keep positive in these difficult times. These ideas can be drawn from Medical Science, Ancient Practices, Alternate Therapies, Diverse Cultures. In the “Picturise” section, ideas are invited in the form of pictures, flowcharts, cartoons, block diagrams that can help fight COVID-19. The shortlisted entries from “Prayerise” and “Picturise” sections will then be invited to submit for “Actualize”, wherein the participants will have to submit Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Augment Reality and Virtual Reality based simulations for their ideas.

The themes (related but not limited to) for NOVATE+ 2020 are Tracking and geofencing COVID-19 patients, Scalable solutions for sanitization, Effective delivery of essential/non-essential goods, Effective implementation of social distancing, Crop harvesting using minimal labour, Work from home solutions and DIY (Do-It-Yourself) kit ideas.

The Awards and Benefits of NOVATE+ 2020 include Acceleration funds to support research worth 75 lakh rupees, 3 prototyping grants of 2.5 lakh rupees each from NSTDEB’s NewGen IEDC, 4 prototyping grants of 4 lakh rupees each from MEITY TIDE 2.0. Besides, the best project wins a cash prize for 5 lakh rupees sponsored by Chitkara University.

“Chitkara University always acts as per its strengths and abilities to contribute to a cause. With immense belief in the students, faculty members, start-ups, and youth power of India, Chitkara University has chalked out NOVATE+ 2020, to fight COVID-19 leveraging innovations. Chitkara University invites students, faculties, start-ups to participate in NOVATE+ 2020 to accelerate innovation, bring out revolutionary ideas & thoughts for supporting National fight against COVID-19,” said Dr. Madhu Chitkara, Pro-Chancellor, Chitkara University.