The Centre for Innovation, Incubation & Entrepreneurship (CII&E) of PSG College of Arts & Science (PSGCAS), Coimbatore, announced that two student teams from the institution have secured national-level awards in the Ideas4LiFE Innovation Challenge.
The Innovation Challenge was initiated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India, and launched in September 2024.
It invited innovative ideas from students, faculty, and startups across the country. Out of 1,300 ideas submitted by 4,800 participants, 21 teams were selected under seven different themes.
PSGCAS emerged as one of the top-performing institutions in this prestigious competition.
Two teams from the college were recognised under the themes ‘No to Single-Use Plastics’ and ‘Adopt Sustainable Food Systems.’
Surya and Jaikant, postgraduate students from the Department of Botany, received an award of ₹1,50,000 under the theme ‘No to Single-Use Plastics.’
Sabareesh and Nijanthan, undergraduate students from the Department of Nutrition & Dietetics – Aided, were recognised under the theme ‘Adopt Sustainable Food Systems’ and received a prize amount of ₹1,00,000.
They were mentored by Vijayakumar, EDC Manager.
The winning teams were guided and supported throughout the competition by Vijayakumar, Manager of the Centre for Innovation, Incubation & Entrepreneurship (formerly EDC); Sankara Vel, Assistant Professor of Botany (SF); Uthira, Associate Professor and Head, Department of Nutrition & Dietetics; and Krishnaveni, Assistant Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology and Coordinator of EDC.
The student awardees and their mentors were formally invited to the World Environment Day Celebration and Award Ceremony held on June 5, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
They received the award from Rekha Gupta, Chief Minister of Delhi; Vinai Kumar Saxena, Lieutenant Governor; and Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change.
The event also featured a national-level expo of sustainable startups, where the teams proudly represented the college.
This significant achievement stands as a milestone in the institution’s ongoing contributions to sustainability, innovation, and national development.
The awardees were highly appreciated and congratulated by the Management, including Kannaian, Secretary; Senguttuvan, Principal (i/c); as well as Vice Principals, Heads of Departments, and Faculty Members of the college.
