What does it take to transform an idea into a functional IoT solution? How can academic programmes equip students with skills the industry truly values? EFY’s Vidushi Saxena spoke with Dr Umesh Dutta to explore how Arduino and Manav Rachna are bridging the gap between learning and real world innovation.
Q. How did Manav Rachna decide to collaborate with Arduino Labs?
A. Arduino has clearly established itself as a frontrunner in the tech space. With a global community of over 36 million open source users, it stands out not only for its popularity in schools but also for its widespread adoption in higher education and industry for prototyping applications. Teams worldwide, working on diverse R&D projects and innovations, rely on Arduino to bring their ideas to life.
When we learned about Arduino’s initiative to set up their India team and expand their presence, we reached out to share our vision for education and skills development. The alignment was natural, a shared mission and common dream. Both organisations are committed to empowering individuals with the technology and skills required for the modern era, while also addressing the challenges of an evolving ecosystem and advancing sustainability goals.
This shared vision became the foundation of our partnership, which is already taking shape successfully. Our goal is ambitious: to empower over 10,000 teachers by training and equipping them with knowledge and expertise on the Arduino platform. With the right mindset and a strong ecosystem in place, we are confident this mission will be achieved.
Q. Who supported or funded the setup for this lab?
A. It is a collaboration between Arduino and Manav Rachna, with valuable input from both organisations. You could say it was a joint investment, as both parties contributed to the development of this course. It is truly a combined effort between Arduino and Manav Rachna that made this a reality.
Q. What would be the estimated cost of establishing such a lab, and how sustainable would its operations be in the long term?
A. The cost really depends on the kind of equipment being deployed in the lab. We follow a three-tier ecosystem. Tier one is about inspiration, which is aimed at schools and called the Arduino Inspiration Lab. Tier two is invention, designed for higher education institutions such as universities and colleges, and is referred to as the Arduino Invention Lab. The third tier is innovation, which is for R&D hubs in industry, known as the Arduino Innovation Lab. It is, therefore, an inspiration, an invention, and an innovation three-tier ecosystem widely followed in this space.
The investment varies depending on the hardware chosen. Arduino’s global team provides recommended standards, which include access to curated courses and online learning content along with the hardware. Typically, the cost starts at around 6 to 8 lakh rupees, and from there, the sky is the limit, as the setup can be customised depending on the institution’s needs. But the recommended baseline is in that 6–8 lakh range.
As for how students will use these labs, it is entirely practical. That is the mantra and the core philosophy of Arduino, which is based on the principle of learning through hands-on experience. The approach is hands-on, focused on project-based learning (PBL) and problem-based learning. Students will be encouraged to experiment with hardware, write programs, test them on actual devices, and build their understanding through practice, rather than relying only on theoretical concepts.
Of course, theory provides the foundation, and Arduino ensures that foundation is covered through structured online content. Their learning channels provide a strong base of knowledge covering everything students need to get started with the hardware and software. This content is available for free, allowing students to access it anytime, anywhere, from any device, including laptops and mobile phones, ensuring a seamless learning experience.
Finally, there is also a global certification component. Students who want to demonstrate their skills can take the certification exams set by Arduino. Depending on their performance, they can earn globally recognised credentials, which will be very valuable for their professional careers.
Q. What types of projects will students be able to create upon completing the program?
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