NITI Aayog ropes in Intel to launch `Atal Tinkering Labs’ programme

NITI Aayog, the new planning body of the government, today announced the signing of a statement of intent with global chip maker Intel for efficient implementation of the Narendra Modi government's initiative, `Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATL).

ATL, under which laboratories for imparting skills to the youth will be set up across the country as part of the government's flagship programme, the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM).

The key objectives of setting up Atal Tinkering Laboratories is to build relevant skill sets among youngsters and to provide access to technology that will enable solutions, an official release stated.

''Intel will co-lead the creation and management of ten ATLs as state hubs. These laboratories intend to impact 250,000 youth with innovation skills and skills for the future across 500 communities and schools.

''Intel will support NITI Aayog in building capacities of mentors and developing linkages with maker ecosystem for quality improvement of projects made by the youth, facilitating ideation, design thinking and prototyping workshops through industry experts and co-lead an innovation festival that reaches out to 500,000 young innovators,'' says the release.

Speaking after the signing of the agreement, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said; ''If India needs to grow consistently at 9 to 10 per cent over the next three decades, it is absolutely essential that we are able to build innovative solutions to our unique problems. NITI Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission, especially the Atal Tinkering Labs, will enable the creation of millions of child innovators who will bloom into young entrepreneurs, thus enabling India's unprecedented growth.''

''Intel believes that it is more important than ever to invest in youth and innovation. That's why we are proud to be a part of the Atal Innovation Mission to launch tinkering labs throughout India, which will ultimately help millions of children across the country develop the skills they need to be competitive as tomorrow's workforce,'' president, Intel Foundation and vice president of Intel Corporation, Rosalind L Hudnell, said.

Earlier in the day, NITI Aayog organised an 'Expert Consultative Group Meeting' to help create and put in place a framework for operationalising the Atal Tinkering Labs that will be established in schools all across the country. The technical support was provided by Intel Technology India Pvt Ltd.

The maker community deliberated on the type of equipment (must have, good to have) in a lab, success indicators and engagement with the community.

It was brought out that the Atal Tinkering Labs in all schools should be entirely student-centric and ought to function with critical involvement of all stakeholders at the school level - teachers, parents, makers and other private organisations – to make the initiative a grand success.