In an extraordinary achievement by students from Tezpur University, a team comprising of Mizanur Rahman, Shikha Rani Gogoi, Chinmoy Talukdar and Rishi Paul from the department of Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) has received global recognition for their innovative use of Bael (wood apple) as a tea-like beverage. Bael is a locally available fruit in the state, which has been long known for its nutritional benefits but is often underutilized for commercial purposes.
The Tezpur University Team
The innovative idea was the brainchild of a multidisciplinary team from Tezpur University consisting of Mizanur Rahman, Shikha Rani Gogoi, Chinmoy Talukdar, and Rishi Paul from the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE), along with Bastab Tapan Bordoloi from the Department of Business Administration. Their project was recognized as one of the best among 175 competing teams at the IdeaRun student project contest, organized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Smart Village (ISV) South Asia Working Group (SAWG).
Recognition at IEEE Symposium
The team’s innovative Bael-based beverage concept earned them a prestigious award at the IEEE Smart Village Symposium 2024, held from November 7 to November 8 at the Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology, Gandhinagar. IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional organization, recognizes projects that align with sustainable development goals, particularly in energy-impoverished communities.
Mentorship and Future Potential
The team’s work was mentored by Dr. Rupam Goswami, a faculty member from the ECE department and associated faculty of the Centre for Multidisciplinary Research at TU. The recognition from IEEE Smart Village provides a significant boost to the students’ entrepreneurial efforts, as they are now eligible to apply for an IEEE grant to transform their idea into a pilot commercial venture. The project aims to benefit rural communities, using Bael as a sustainable, health-focused beverage that could promote local agriculture and business.
Tezpur University Leaders Applaud the Team’s Achievement
Prof. Shambhu Nath Singh, Vice Chancellor of Tezpur University, congratulated the team for their achievement and expressed hope that this recognition would inspire other students across disciplines to engage in entrepreneurial ventures that benefit local communities.
Prof. Debendra Chandra Baruah, Director of the Centre for Multidisciplinary Research at TU, emphasized that while tender Bael is traditionally used in rural Assam for making beverages, it remains largely untapped in terms of commercialization. He believes that initiatives like this could open new doors for rural entrepreneurship and help local communities thrive.
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