TEJAS 2K24: An Engineering Expo Unveiling 140 Innovations with Social Impact
Telangana’s first private University, Anurag University, hosted TEJAS 2K24 – an Engineering Expo showcasing 140 innovative projects and products developed by its engineering students. The inauguration took place on January 28, 2024, at the Dr Abdul Kalam Hall on the university campus.
Inspiring the Next Generation
The event aimed to inspire school children from both private and government schools by inviting them to explore the displayed innovations. Notable personalities in attendance included Prof. William Oakes, Sateesh Andra, Shanta Thoutam, the Chancellor of Anurag University, Dr. UB Desai, and Dr. P. Rajeshwar Reddy, among others.
Diverse Innovations on Display
Various groundbreaking projects were showcased, such as the Campus E-Mobility Vehicle designed for pollution-less commutation in large campuses, an AI-based smart podium with adjustable height, a low-cost cloth dryer, and an IoT-based smart cradle system.
Fostering Experiential Learning
As part of the expo, a panel discussion was held on ‘Exploring Experiential Learning for Startup Innovation’. The engaging conversation involved insights from Prof. William Oakes, Prof. UB Desai, Dr. Balaji Utla, Sateesh Andra, and Dr. Shanta Thoutam, and was moderated by Dr. D. Balaji Utla.
Showcasing Student Ingenuity
The expo displayed products developed by Anurag University students, including the Smart EV Campus Mobility Car, an Automatic Motorized Cover for vehicles, Smart Toilets, Anurag Operating Systems (AOS), Solar Smart Dustbin, Anurag GPT (Image Caption Generator), and more.
Smart EV Campus Mobility Car
One standout project was the Smart EV Campus Mobility Car, designed for seamless campus transportation. Developed by EEE students, it accommodates five passengers and a driver, offering efficient mobility within the campus using a lithium-ion battery.
AI-Based Smart Podium
Addressing the need for adjustable podiums, students developed an AI-based smart podium with automatic microphone and height adjustment capabilities, enhancing the speaker’s comfort during presentations.
Low-Cost Cloth Dryer
A frugal innovation on display was a low-cost cloth dryer, showcasing the students’ problem-solving approach in addressing gaps in accessible technologies.
Anurag Operating Systems (AOS)
Computer Science students presented Anurag Operating Systems as a cost-effective alternative to commercial operating systems, aiming to overcome shortcomings in widely-used systems like Microsoft Windows.
Towards a Culture of Innovation
TEJAS 2K24 is not just an annual event but a step towards instilling an innovation culture among engineering students, encouraging them to identify societal pain points and propose effective solutions. Prof. Balaji Utla, the Registrar, emphasized the importance of students becoming problem solvers rather than mere creators, positioning this project expo as a platform to nurture such invaluable skills.