The Infosys Science Foundation (ISF) announced the winners of the Infosys Prize 2017, across six fields — engineering and computer science, humanities, life sciences, mathematical sciences, physical sciences and social sciences — in Bangalore on November 15. The prize for winners in each category is a purse of Rs.65 lakh, a 22-karat gold medallion and a citation certificate. The winners were shortlisted from over 236 nominations by a jury comprising renowned scientists and professors. 

The winners of the Infosys Prize 2017 are: Prof. Sanghamitra Bandyopadhyay, director of the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, (engineering and computer science); Prof. Ananya Jahanara Kabir, professor of English literature, King’s College London (humanities); Prof. Upinder Singh Bhalla, professor, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore (life sciences); Prof. Ritabrata Munshi, professor, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai and Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, (mathematical sciences); Prof. Yamuna Krishnan, professor, department of chemistry, University of Chicago (physical sciences); and Prof. Lawrence Liang, professor, School of Law, Ambedkar University, Delhi (social sciences). 

 

Cambridge India toppers awards

Twenty-six students in India have received ‘Top in the World’ awards from Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) for exceptional performance in Cambridge exams in the academic year 2016-17. The awards acknowledge students who have achieved the highest marks worldwide in a Cambridge IGCSE or Cambridge International AS & A Level subject in the November 2016, March 2017 and June 2017 exams.

Almost half of CAIE Top of the World award winners in India are based in Mumbai, with 12 students in the city achieving this distinction — more than any other city in India. A total of 160 students in India have received Outstanding Cambridge Learner awards in 2016-17, 86 received ‘Top in Country’ awards for highest marks in the country for a single Cambridge IGCSE or Cambridge International AS & A Level subject, and 51 students were recognised for high achievement in a subject, and for best performance across a set number of Cambridge subjects.

The Top in World and Top in Country students will be felicitated for their outstanding academic achievements at a Cambridge Outstanding Learner Awards ceremony early next year. 

Over 400 schools in India offer CAIE programmes and qualifications.

 

India Design Challenge 2017

The California (USA)-based Autodesk, a company engaged in 3D design technology, the Ahmedabad-based National Institute of Design (NID) and the automobile major Maruti Suzuki Ltd have introduced India Design Challenge 2017. Participant students will be required to leverage the power of Fusion 360, the flagship cloud-powered design software of Autodesk to conceptualise and build out-of-the-box industry design solutions. 

The two topics for students are: Personal Mobility Solution for Urban Youth, 2025 and Design of Green Vehicle in year 2025. Full-time undergrad and postgrad students of all design schools are invited to participate in this challenge.

With the objective of developing  design skills and driving sustainable innovation, Autodesk, Maruti Suzuki and NID personnel will work closely with the students as mentors and jury. The mentoring will be online, eight-12 hours over a period of four weeks and will include interactive sessions with experts from NID and Maruti Suzuki. “The key criteria to decide the winning teams will be technology usage (Fusion 360), creativity and novelty of design, design process and overall presentation,” says Pradeep Nair, managing director of Autodesk India & SAARC. 

 

Tata Business Leadership Awards

The Tata Business Leadership Awards (TBLA) 2017, an annual business case competition organised by the Tata Group, attracted the participation of premier business schools from across India. They were asked to provide solutions for the reduction, efficient disposal and productive use of industrial waste produced by the Tata Group of companies. 

TBLA 2017 was won by Team Caesar of the S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai, followed by Team Invictus from XLRI, Jamshedpur and Team High Flyers from IIM-Bangalore which were adjudged first and second runners-up. Other teams which reached the final round were from IIM-Ahmedabad, IIM-Calcutta, IIM-Lucknow, IIM-Kozhikode, FMS, Delhi and TISS, Mumbai.

The winners were felicitated with the TBLA rolling trophy, a cash prize of Rs.500,000 and a direct pre-placement interview opportunity with TAS (Tata Administrative Service), the flagship leadership development programme of the Tata Group. The runners-up received cash prizes of Rs.200,000 and Rs.100,000 respectively.

Speaking on the occasion, S. Padmanabhan, chief human resources officer of the group holding company Tata Sons Ltd, Mumbai, said: “In its 15th year now, TBLA has been successful in recognising talent and triggering enthusiasm to devise innovative solutions to challenging real-world situations.”