Veranda K-12 Announces the Shortlisting of Top 25 Entries for the Nationals of Avinya

Grand Finale To Be Held On December 7 at IIIT-Bangalore

Veranda K-12, part of Veranda Learning Solutions, announced the shortlisting of the top 25 entries for the Nationals of Avinya, a nation-wide initiative aimed at identifying and nurturing the next generation of young innovators. These exceptional students will compete in the Grand Finale on December 7, 2024, at IIIT-Bangalore, where their ground-breaking ideas will take centre-stage.

Avinya: A Hub for Young Innovators

Avinya is a platform designed to empower students from Grades 8 to 12 across India to tackle real-world challenges through innovative ideas aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative aimed to reach over 100 cities and towns, inspiring over 1 lakh young learners to think creatively and contribute towards a sustainable future.

Speaking about the program, Mr. Suresh Kalpathi, Executive Director and Chairman of Veranda Learning Solutions, said: “Avinya is not just a competition; it’s a movement to instil innovation and sustainability in the minds of our youth. These young minds hold the key to a better future, and it is heartening to see their creativity shaping solutions to global challenges.”

The Grand Finale is being hosted in collaboration with IIIT-Bangalore, a premier technology, research and innovation institute in India. Speaking about the partnership, Prof. Debabrata Das, Director, IIIT-Bangalore, said: “At IIIT-Bangalore, we are committed to cultivating a culture of innovation from an early stage. Our partnership with Veranda K-12 for the Avinya initiative has been impactful, resonating with our mission to empower young minds to think critically, innovate boldly, and address global challenges. Together, we aim to shape the leaders and problem-solvers of tomorrow, equipping them to make meaningful contributions to society.”

Journey to the Nationals

Avinya received an overwhelming response with over 350 ideas submitted from 14 cities and towns. Shortlisted entries went through a rigorous selection process conducted in collaboration with host schools and online platforms. The organizers reached out to over 1,000 schools across India to encourage participation.

About 45 students from the top-25 finalist entries will be competing in the Grand Finale. For more information, visit www.verandak12.com/avinya.

Physical evaluations were held at:

• The Millennium School, Lucknow
• The Khaitan School, Noida
• BVM Global School, Chennai
• Vista International School, Hyderabad
• BVM Global School, Coimbatore
• Khaitan Public School, Ghaziabad
• Shishya BEML School, Bengaluru
• BVM Global School, Bengaluru

Meanwhile, ideas from Jaipur, Kolkata, Pune, Indore, Trichy, Chandigarh, and Anantnag were evaluated online.

Preparing for the Grand Finale

The top-25 finalists have already undergone three online masterclasses, and a Bootcamp will be held on December 6th, 2024, at IIIT-Bangalore. This session will feature experts from the innovation ecosystem and young entrepreneurs sharing insights into ideation, implementation, and the nuances of building a successful start-up.

Exciting Grand Finale Details

The Grand Finale on December 7th, 2024, will see these young innovators presenting their ideas to an esteemed panel, including:

• Mr. Bhavin Shah, Director & CEO, Education World
• Mr. Prateek Madhav, Co-founder & CEO, AssisTech Foundation
• Ms. Gayatri Chauhan, Founder & CEO, BuzzOnEarth
• Mr. Rajesh Pankaj, Chief Program Officer, Veranda Learning Solutions

The event will also feature:

• Guest of Honour: Mr. Suresh Kalpathi, Executive Director & Chairman, Veranda Learning Solutions
• Chief Guest (Inauguration Ceremony): Mr. Sunil Acharya, India & South Asia Lead, Amazon Web Services
• Chief Guest (Awards Ceremony): Prof. Chandrashekar Ramanathan, Dean of Academics, IIIT-Bangalore

A Vision for the Future

Mr. Subramanyam Kantheti, CEO of Veranda K-12, emphasized the importance of this initiative:
“Avinya is a platform to empower young minds to dream big and think innovatively. Collaborating with IIIT-Bangalore ensures these ideas are fine-tuned with world-class mentorship and expertise, paving the way for future changemakers.”

About Veranda Learning Solutions

Established in 2018 by the Kalpathi AGS Group, Veranda Learning Solutions Limited has rapidly evolved into a prominent, publicly listed education company. With a strong foothold in the academic sector, overseeing trusts that manage both schools and colleges, as well as in test preparation, vocational training, and software upskilling, Veranda has significantly expanded its reach and impact. The company’s platform integrates advanced technology, robust processes, and innovative methodologies to deliver high-quality, personalized learning experiences to students nationwide. Committed to driving student success and achieving outstanding academic outcomes, Veranda employs a multi-modal delivery system supported by a disciplined and comprehensive learning framework. For more information, please visit www.verandalearning.com

About IIIT-Bangalore 

IIIT-Bangalore is a premier institute dedicated to undergraduate and postgraduate programs specializing in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE), Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAI), IT for Society, and broader fields of IT and research. Situated in the heart of Electronic City, Bengaluru, it holds a prominent position in the academic landscape. IIIT-Bangalore is graded A+ by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). IIIT-Bangalore secured the 74th position in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings for the second consecutive year, 2024 reflecting its commitment to academic excellence. The institute was ranked number 9 among India’s Best Technical Universities (Private) by India Today. IIIT-Bangalore contains state-of-the-art infrastructure, eminently qualified faculty, a vibrant alumni community, cutting-edge research facilities, and close industry collaborations.

The institute’s specially designed courses make the students’ cognizant of the current technologies. Experiential learning and practices followed in the institute equip them with the tools and knowledge to solve contemporary real problems. IIIT-Bangalore has consistently achieved excellent placement records every year since its establishment in 1998, thanks to the unwavering support of the industry and the expanding pool of highly skilled alumni.

 For more information about IIIT-Bangalore, please visit www.iiitb.ac.in

Annexure: Shortlisted Schools for Avinya Nationals

Avinya received over 350 entries, and the top 25 entries have been shortlisted to compete at the national level.

Top 25 Entries:

S. No City State Name of the School

1 Anantnag / Jammu & Kashmir / Oxford Presentation School https://oxfordpresentationschool.com/

2 Hyderabad /Telangana / Vista International School https://vistaschool.edu.in/

3 Indore / Madhya Pradesh / The Bhavans Prominent International

4 Bangalore / Karnataka / Deeksha STEM School https://deekshastemschools.com/

5 Bangalore / Karnataka / Vagdevi Vilas School (Marathahalli branch) https://www.vvi.edu.in/

6 Bangalore / Karnataka / Vagdevi Vilas School (Varthur branch)

7 Bangalore / Karnataka / Christ Academy ICSE School

8 Bangalore / Karnataka / Shishya BEML Public School https://www.shishyabemlschool.edu.in/

9 Bangalore / Karnataka / BVM Global School https://bengaluru.bvmglobal.org/

10 Coimbatore / Tamil Nadu / BVM Global School https://coimbatore.bvmglobal.org/

11 Coimbatore / Tamil Nadu / SSVM World School https://www.ssvmws.com/

12 Chennai / Tamil Nadu / BVM Global School (Bollineni Hillside branch) https://bollinenihillside.bvmglobal.org/index.aspx

13 Chennai / Tamil Nadu / BVM Global School (Perungudi branch) https://perungudi.bvmglobal.org/

14 Chennai / Tamil Nadu / Vels Global School

15 Chennai / Tamil Nadu / Sishya School (Adyar)  https://www.sishya.com/

16 Trichy / Tamil Nadu / Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Mannachannalur

17 Trichy / Tamil Nadu / Samadh Senior Secondary School

18 Trichy / Tamil Nadu / SRV Public School https://srvschoolstrichy.org/

19 Trichy / Tamil Nadu / Sri Vignesh Public School

20 Trichy / Tamil Nadu / Kamala Niketan Montessori School

21 Trichy / Tamil Nadu / Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Mannachannalur

22 Ghaziabad / Uttar Pradesh / Nehru World School https://www.nehruworldschool.com/