The Central University of Kerala participated in the national launch of the Seva First Innovation Challenge (SFIC), an initiative of the Ministry of Education, Government of India, under the Sewa Sankalp Abhiyan - Viksit Bharat @2047.

The national launch programme was witnessed live at Sabarmati Hall, CUK, in the presence of Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof. Siddu P. Algur, Registrar (i/c) Prof. V.B. Sameer Kumar, Dean Academic Prof. Joseph Koyippally, Director of Research Prof. Sijin Kumar A.V., faculty members and students.

The Seva First Innovation Challenge aims to mobilise young innovators to identify real challenges in their communities and develop practical, innovative and implementable solutions. The Challenge focuses on five broad areas, including climate and environment and sanitation, with health, Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies serving as cross-cutting enablers. Students can participate by developing product or technology solutions, or business-model and governance solutions.

Shortlisted innovators will have opportunities for expert mentorship, laboratory and testing support, incubation, pilot funding, field testing, intellectual-property guidance, and linkages with government and industry. The initiative seeks to promote innovations that address real societal and community challenges and have the potential for implementation and wider adoption. The Challenge offers cash prizes of Rs. 10 lakh, Rs. 5 lakh and Rs. 3 lakh for the first, second and third positions respectively.