Have you ever dreamt of turning your tech skills into something real? That's exactly what happened for a group of engineering graduates in Kannur, India, thanks to a one-of-a-kind program called the IIIC Internship and Mentorship.
It all began in September 2023 with a bang. IIIC announced a free three-month mentorship program,
offering fresh graduates a chance to learn from industry experts in areas like web development, DevOps and
Entrepreneurship. After a careful selection process, 12 enthusiastic candidates were chosen to embark on
this transformative journey.
The official kick-off on October 11th was a grand affair. Held at the Hotel Samudra Auditorium, it brought
together more than 80 key professionals, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts. This event set the tone for
IIIC's mission: to bridge the gap between what students learn in college and the real-world skills needed
for success. Led by the visionary Adv. Sajeev Joseph MLA and IT Head & Coordinator Vivek KC, the program
aimed to empower young minds to become the next generation of tech innovators.
With a dedicated group of 6 full-time interns and 6 campus-interns from the Government College of
Engineering, Kannur (GCEK), the IIIC office in Sreekandapuram became a hive of activity. The first month
was focused on entrepreneurship. Forget theory, these interns were brainstorming business ideas,
discussing case studies, and learning how to make their ventures profitable and sustainable. Vivek called
it "building a perfect system, building a dot; and that should be sustainable and scalable." All the
important discussions and content were meticulously recorded and uploaded to a YouTube channel called
"Claygreen Buddy" – our way of giving back to the community. Weekends were dedicated to student-business
connect programs, fostering vibrant discussions, learnings and Networking.
There were challenges, of course. Balancing commutes and ensuring everyone's physical availability wasn't
easy. Then, introduced a hybrid mode, blending online and offline learning, making the program accessible
to all. To add real-world flavors, industrial visits were organized. Places like Jesto's game development
studio "Wrinit" and MiZone opened the interns' eyes to exciting career possibilities in technology and
entrepreneurship. Visits to other places like the Cochin IT Park were planned but had to be postponed for
logistical reasons.
The program wasn't just about tech skills. A memorable workshop by Dr.TPS from JNAANAM brought wisdom and life lessons to the table. Insights from elderly attendees enriched participants with invaluable life lessons and career advice. As the third month rolled in, the focus shifted to personal development. Through SWOT analysis and soft skills training, interns were empowered to hone their unique strengths and interests.
Finally, it was time to put the learnings into action! The interns tackled real-world projects, including developing a food/grocery delivery app called "Homegreen delivery". The goal? Not a name sake project completion at all, but to potentially incubate a thriving startup and build a strong student-entrepreneur community.
And the results? Graduates landed into successful jobs, received continued support in their job searches, and some even nurtured innovative ventures. The IIIC program became a testament to passion, expertise, and commitment, leaving a lasting impact on the local tech and entrepreneurial landscape.
On June 8, 2024, the Irikkur Innovation & Incubation Center (IIIC) celebrated the graduation of its first batch of interns. The ceremony, held in the presence of Swami Gururatnam Jnana Tapaswi from Shantigiri Ashram and attended by Chandy Oommen MLA, marked a significant milestone for the center's efforts to boost local tourism and IT development.
As the program's first batch concluded in early 2024, the legacy of IIIC continued to inspire. The mission has grown – laying the groundwork for an IT park in the area, aiming to incubate sustainable startups. The vision? To address local challenges in Education, Agriculture, and Tourism, all while harnessing the power of technology and human potential. This is just the beginning of an exciting journey, and we can't wait to see what the future holds for IIIC and the changemakers they empower!
