The Department of Chemical Engineering (CE), Paavai Engineering College, in association with the Institution Innovation Council (IIC), jointly organized a Guest Lecture on “From Curiosity to Creation: The IPR Journey of Turning Ideas to Impact” on 28th April 2025, from 11:00 AM to 01:00 PM.
The session commenced with a welcome address by Selvan Pranow Ronald J., a third-year Chemical Engineering student. This was followed by the introduction of the Chief Guest by Selvi Nithiya M. K., also from the third-year Chemical Engineering department. The Chief Guest, Dr. S. Shankar, M.E., Ph.D. (IIT Madras), Director of ProMind Research Academy, ProMind Learning Academy, and ViPa Robotics, Erode, was warmly welcomed to the gathering.
The lecture began by highlighting the role of curiosity in scientific inquiry and innovation, emphasizing that many groundbreaking ideas originate from simple yet persistent questions. Dr. Shankar then elaborated on the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) ecosystem, explaining the significance of patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets in safeguarding innovations and enabling inventors to derive benefits from their work.
Using real-world case studies and relatable examples, he illustrated how IPR can not only protect innovation but also serve as a strategic asset for startups, academic researchers, and industry professionals. He also covered practical aspects such as the patent filing process, timelines, common challenges, and tips to avoid common pitfalls. Dr. Shankar concluded his talk by encouraging students to think beyond the classroom and view IPR as a bridge connecting theoretical knowledge with real-world application and entrepreneurial success.
The IIC Guest Lecture was organized by Mr. R. Balasubramani, Associate Professor and Head of the Department, and coordinated by Ms. G. Swathi, Assistant Professor. Students from the second, third, and final years of Chemical Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology actively participated and benefited from the session. A total of 105 students attended the lecture.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Selvan Adithyan T. M., a second-year Chemical Engineering student.
