<p>IIT Bombay inaugurated the ‘Class of 1980 Design and Making Lab’ on Nov 03, 2022, set up through the generous contribution of the Class of 1980. The occasion saw the batch’s leader Mr. Vinay Somani addressing the gathering, as he spoke about the Class of 1980's determination to "give back meaningfully" to their alma mater that led to their contribution towards the establishment of the Lab. He also expressed his happiness at the rapid progress that IIT Bombay has made over the years since the batch’s time on campus.</p><p>Comprising the latest digital and mechanical equipment (laser-cutters, 3D printers, etc.,), the Lab will be accessible to the Institute’s first-year students. The young minds of IIT Bombay will have the opportunity to learn modern designing and manufacturing practices through a multidisciplinary course, at the very beginning of their academic journeys. This Lab forms an essential part of the Institute’s larger #MakerSpace initiative that envisions providing a comprehensive education to students through exposure to state-of-the-art thematic labs.</p><p>The members of the Maker Space committee Prof. Varun Bhalerao, Associate Professor, Department of Physics and Prof. Darshan Shah, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering gave a brief overview of the Lab and the instrumental role it will play in revolutionizing learning practices for students.</p><p>The Maker Space program is an important step that aligns with the substantially revised curriculum that was recently recommended by the committee under the Chairmanship of Prof. Kishore Chatterjee, Department of Electrical Engineering. Significant components of this revamp were also adapted from the recommendations made under the updated National Education Policy, that emphasised hands-on experimental-based learning.</p><p>IIT Bombay is grateful to the Class of 1980 for their generosity which will help us in our endeavour to continue providing a world-class education to our students. Alongside this, the ‘Class of 1980 Design and Making Lab’ will also serve as an exemplar for other institutes across the country to follow and be aligned with the tenets of the National Education Policy.</p>