🌟 SPARKLAB 1.0 – Mentors Meetup: Igniting the Spirit of Innovation
On a spirited evening, 30th April 2025, 9PM, filled with purpose and passion, mentors and trainers of SPARKLAB 2025 came together virtually in a vibrant “President’s Interaction” session hosted by the SSSIHL Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC). The gathering marked an important milestone in the university’s innovation journey, bringing together thought leaders, faculty experts, entrepreneurs, and professionals aligned by a shared mission — to nurture self-reliant, socially conscious innovators.
The session was graced by the presence of the President of SSSIHL, who shared words of wisdom and encouragement, emphasizing the university’s commitment to value-driven innovation and holistic mentorship. The President’s address served as a powerful reminder of the vision of Revered Founder Chancellor Sri Sathya Sai Baba, who envisioned youth as heroes of action dedicated to self-sacrifice and service to humanity.
📸 “The energy was palpable even in a virtual room. Smiles, nods, and shared excitement echoed the start of something transformative.”
🧭 Program Overview: SPARKLAB 1.0
SPARKLAB 1.0 is the flagship innovation development lab initiated under IIC@SSSIHL. With a mission to transform ideas into impact, it provides structured guidance, hands-on mentoring, and strategic training to selected student innovators.
The program Team IIC:
💡 The Mentorship Experience
Mentors are the backbone of SPARKLAB. During the session, key mentorship guidelines were discussed to ensure clarity of roles and effectiveness:
- Mentors are paired with 1–2 teams and are expected to meet weekly (virtually).
- Emphasis is placed on strategic thinking, early-stage validation, clarity in problem statements, and lean execution.
- The IIC will support scheduling, coordination, and documentation, allowing mentors to focus on coaching and collaboration.
An NDA-based mentorship agreement ensures intellectual property integrity and long-term engagement with SSSIHL’s innovation ecosystem.
🌐 A Dynamic Community
The session was a wonderful opportunity to interact with an impressive lineup of mentors including:
- Industry leaders and startup founders
- Academic experts and technologists
- Entrepreneurial visionaries committed to guiding the next generation
more mentors are in the process of onboarding. Interested? Get in Touch: [email protected]
🚀 What’s Next
As SPARKLAB 1.0 gears up for its May–June execution phase, mentors and trainers are ready to steer their assigned teams toward structured experimentation and impactful prototypes. The culminating Final Pitch Week in June will be a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and courage.
We extend our deepest gratitude to each mentor who has joined hands with the IIC. Your time, insight, and empathy will shape not just projects, but people.
Stay tuned for more updates from the SPARKLAB 1.0 journey.
Let’s build the future — together, with values and vision.