Each of the ten students selected received a one year scholarship grant of US$1,300, to be used in their second year of study. The merit-based Spirit of Invention scholarship program is open to all first-year Indian national students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance with a strong interest in innovation. This year, the students selected from three colleges included M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bangalore; Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani; Pune Vidhyarthi Griha's College of Engineering and Technology, Pune;.
As part of their application for the scholarship,The students were required to submit a project for an innovation. Some of the brilliant concepts included a safety sensor device, a wireless sensor network to tackle the long-term railway track maintenance problem, a protective covering for switches made of silicone rubber and a natural gas tank which stores gas at high pressure using CNG technology.
Speaking on the occasion, Alicia Procello Maddox, president of the Avery Dennison Foundation and senior director of community investment for Avery Dennison Corporation, said, “It is our mission, in awarding these scholarships each year, to foster the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship among university students. The scholarships are awarded to students who exhibit a high level of creativity and inventiveness in their work… students who have the potential to become important contributors to the economic well-being of their communities.”
In his speech, Anil Sharma, MD, South Asia & Sub Saharan Africa, Materials Group, Avery Dennison, highlighted the need for innovation, “our customers are constantly looking for smarter, more efficient ways to operate,” he said. Noting that the company continuous to shape and reshape itself and the industry as customers needs evolve, with the major emphasis today on materials and manufacturing methods that are easier on the environment.
These scholarships mark the second round of the Avery Dennison Foundation’s annual programe in India. The Avery Dennison foundation is the philanthropic arm of Avery Dennison, a global leader in labeling and packaging materials and solutions. The company’s application and technologies are an integral part of products used in every major market and industry. With operations in more than 50 countries and 26000 employees worldwide, Avery Dennison serves customers with insights and innovations that help make brands more inspiring and the world more intelligent. Headquartered in Pasadena, California, the company reported sales from continuing operations of $ 6 billion in 2012.The company operates two manufacturing facilities and one distribution centre in India besides a knowledge centre for customers in Bangalore and an innovation centre in Pune.
About Avery Dennison Foundation
The mission of the Avery Dennison Foundation is to advance the causes of education and sustainability in the communities where Avery Dennison employees live and work. In cooperation with organizations that receive grants, the foundation also encourages corporate employees to seek opportunities to become involved with the local community and, through volunteer work, to bring the same spirit of invention and invention found at the heart of the company’s success.
About Avery Dennison (NYSE:AVY) is a global leader in labeling and packaging materials and solutions. The company’s applications and technologies are an integral part of products used in every major market and industry. With operations in more than 50 countries and 26000 employees worldwide, Avery Dennison serves customers with insights and innovations that help make brands more inspiring and the world more intelligent. Headquartered in Pasadena, California,the company reported sales from continuing operations of $6 billion in 2012. Learn more at www.averydennison.com
