The Department of Biotechnology at Paavai Engineering College hosted an enlightening guest lecture on “Igniting Innovations: From Idea to Impact” on July 23, 2025, at Bright Hall, PIF-PEC Campus. The event was held under the leadership of Dr. C. Nirmala, Head of the Department, and was meticulously coordinated by Mr. K. Vignesh, Assistant Professor.
The distinguished speaker for the session was Mrs. S. Balakiruthiha, a renowned Social Innovator, SPARSH Fellow, and Founder and Director of AegivionX Private Limited, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
The proceedings were conducted with poise and professionalism by Ms. Sharmita S, who served as the Master of Ceremony. The program began with a soulful invocation by Ms. Priyadharshini G and Ms. Indhumathi T, setting a serene tone for the event. This was followed by a cordial welcome address delivered by Mr. Vaishnav P. The speaker introduction was eloquently presented by Ms. Nivetha Devi S, effectively paving the way for a stimulating and intellectually engaging session.
To further elevate the occasion, Mrs. Kamala Krishnamoorthy, Director of Paavai Innovation Forum (PIF), delivered the Presidential Address, emphasizing the pivotal role of innovation in shaping the future of biotechnology. She also highlighted the tremendous potential for transformative contributions, particularly in areas such as women’s health.
The keynote address by Mrs. Balakiruthiha was profoundly inspiring. She urged students to cultivate a mindset rooted in creativity, curiosity, and resilience, both within and beyond academic settings. Her guidance encouraged attendees to:
Prioritize functionality over mere cleverness
“Listen first and design later”
Embrace real-world feedback as a key to refinement and innovation
She also advocated practices such as maintaining a problem journal, developing low-fidelity prototypes, and treating failure as a stepping stone to innovation.
A supplementary classroom activity further enriched the session. Through a case study of a biotech firm focused on marketing management, students gained hands-on experience in solving real-world challenges using innovative thinking.
