To foster innovation and creativity among the younger generation for enhanced industrial productivity, National Productivity Week is being organized from February 12th to 18th organized by the National Productivity Council (NPC), Bhubaneswar, in collaboration with the KIIT School of Mechanical Engineering, KIIT University.
The National Productivity Council (NPC) was established in 1958 under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India to promote productivity culture and sustainable economic growth. National Productivity Week is celebrated to promote awareness about productivity, efficiency, and sustainability in various sectors, enhancing economic growth and competitiveness. The theme for the current year, “From Ideas to Impact: Protecting Intellectual Property for Competitive Startups,” highlights the importance of safeguarding innovative ideas to foster industrial growth and encourage unique innovations.
The second day of the event (February 13, 2025) witnessed the facilitation of the winners of various competitions namely concept paper writing, debate competitions, and poster presentations, which were conducted on the initial day of the program.
The event, which was attended by over 70 students, commenced with a warm welcome by Ms. Maitrayee Bhuyan, a 4th-year student of KIIT School of Mechanical Engineering. This was followed by the traditional Lamp Lighting Ceremony and the felicitation of esteemed guests with flower bouquets. The event was graced by Chief Guest Shri Samarendra Sahu, Advisor, KIIT-TBI, and Guest of Honor Mr. Avijit Nayak, Regional Director, National Productivity Council, Bhubaneswar. Distinguished dignitaries present at the session included Dr. B. Surekha, Dean, KIIT School of Mechanical Engineering; Mr. Roshan Kujur and Mr. Shyama Prasad, Deputy Directors, National Productivity Council, Bhubaneswar; Dr. Susanta Tripathy, Dean, PG Studies and School of Design, KIIT; Dr. Deepak Singhal, Assistant Professor, KIIT School of Mechanical Engineering, along with key officials from KIIT-TBI; Mr. Suramya Mishra (Expert), Mr. Asutosh Kumar Singh and Ms. Nibedita Khatua (Investigator).
The session began with a Welcome Address by Dr. B. Surekha, who highlighted the significance of the five-day event, emphasizing its engaging competitions such as concept paper writing, debate competitions, and poster presentations. She encouraged participants to seize this opportunity for learning and growth.
Dr. Susanta Tripathy elaborated on the distinction between production and productivity, the relevance of National Productivity Week, and how young professionals can bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical innovation. Mr. Roshan Kujur stressed the importance of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in fostering innovation, explaining how protecting creative ideas can contribute to national productivity. Mr. Shyama Prasad provided insights into the history of National Productivity Week and the role of the National Productivity Council (NPC) in shaping industrial advancement.
Guest of Honor Mr. Avijit Nayak spoke about the vision behind NPC and National Productivity Week, emphasizing their role in cultivating innovative ideas for national progress. Drawing from his experience in evaluating startup creativity in the UAE, he cited an inspiring example—a startup producing packaged water bottles through a demineralization process using condensed water, demonstrating how innovation can emerge from resource constraints.
Chief Guest Shri Samarendra Sahu shared insights from his tenure in the ministry, highlighting his extensive experience in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship across Odisha and beyond. He discussed the SFURTI scheme, which promotes industrial clusters in rural Odisha, and encouraged young entrepreneurs to leverage government startup initiatives to transform their ideas into viable ventures.
He expressed keen interest in engaging with young minds, understanding their perspectives on startup culture, and guiding them in utilizing existing schemes effectively. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) as a protective mechanism for new ideas, reinforcing the event’s core theme of innovation-driven productivity growth.
The event concluded with the distribution of certificates and prize money to the competition winners by the esteemed guests, followed by a Vote of Thanks by Dr. Deepak Singhal. The session left a lasting impression, reinforcing the critical role of intellectual property protection in fostering innovation and driving national productivity.
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