Chandigarh Engineering College (CEC)-CGC Landran, marked a significant milestone today with the inauguration of the AICTE-IDEA Lab, a state-of-the-art on-campus facility dedicated to fostering innovation, creativity and experiential learning among students and researchers. Established with the support of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), CGC Landran and Industry partners, the facility has been set up with a prestigious grant of approximately Rupees One Crore.
AICTE-IDEA lab is envisioned as a dynamic ecosystem where students can design, develop and build innovative solutions. It would promote hands-on learning and empower students to explore ideas using advanced tools, while enhancing problem-solving, collaboration and modern engineering skills.
It will also support student projects, applied research, internships and entrepreneurial initiatives, while also extending its facilities to educational and research institutions in the entire region. The inauguration ceremony was graced by the presence of Rashpal Singh Dhaliwal, President, CGC Landran; Chief Guest, Mr. Sunil Mehta, AVP, Mitsubishi Electric India; Parampal Singh Dhillon, Vice Chairman, CGC Landran; Guests of Honour, Dr. J. P. Singh, Deputy Director, Higher Education, Punjab Ms. Sheeba Thomas, Head, Content and Partnerships, NASSCOM and Mr. Puneet Verma, President, TiE Chandigarh; and distinguished guests including Mr. Manoj Gupta, Mitsubishi Electric India, Ms. Kriti Gupta, Partner Relationship Manager, NASSCOM; and Ms. Harshita Saraswat, Deputy Manager, NASSCOM, India. They were accorded a warm welcome by Dr. Sukhpreet Kaur, Director-Principal, CEC-CGC Landran; faculty members, students and Directors of the institution.
The initiative has been spearheaded under the guidance of Dr. Rajdeep Singh, Campus Director & Chief Mentor, AICTE-IDEA Lab ably coordinated by Prof. (Dr.) Rachin Goyal, Coordinator, AICTE-IDEA Lab & HoD, Mechanical Engineering Department; and Dr. Vinay Bhatia, Co-Coordinator, AICTE-IDEA Lab & HoD, ECE Department, CGC Landran. The facility seeks to encourage 'Learning by Doing,' enabling students to go beyond textbooks and apply STEM concepts in real-world scenarios.
The AICTE-IDEA Lab provides a comprehensive platform for innovation, ranging from rapid prototyping and product visualization to interdisciplinary collaboration. The lab is equipped with advanced technologies, including Laser Cutter systems, PCB Milling and Prototyping Machines, CNC Router, Benchtop Wood Lathe, Mini Lathe Cum Milling Machine, 3D Printer, and 3D Scanner.
These facilities enable high-precision design, rapid prototyping, circuit development, and advanced manufacturing capabilities. Further, strengthening its industry linkage, the institute has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with NASSCOM, paving the way for impactful collaboration and industry-aligned skill development initiatives.
Speaking on the occasion, Rashpal Singh Dhaliwal, President, CGC Landran, said, “The inauguration of the AICTE-IDEA Lab marks a transformative step in our journey toward nurturing innovation-driven education. This facility will empower students to think critically, experiment fearlessly and translate their ideas into impactful solutions.
At CGC Landran, we are committed to creating an ecosystem where creativity thrives and future-ready engineers are shaped.” Beyond infrastructure, the Lab would actively engage students through skill development programs, ideation workshops, industry collaborations, competitions and technical events.
It would also support faculty development, educational outreach and entrepreneurship initiatives, while ensuring continuous visibility through newsletters and a dedicated IDEA Lab webpage. Guided by experienced mentors and faculty, the IDEA Lab offers a collaborative platform for students to explore, experiment and excel, thereby bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world application.