BUDGET: Between 1 crore INR and 4.99 crore INR (USD135,000 to USD540,000)
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) was established in 1909 in partnership with the industrialist Jamsetji Tata, the Mysore royal family, and the government of India. Over the last 111 years, IISc has become India’s premier institute for advanced scientific and technological research and education. IISc has a vibrant and diverse campus spread over 440 acres of greenery in the city of Bengaluru, India’s hub of high-tech companies, educational and research institutions, and numerous start-ups.
It has been ranked highly in the QS World University and National Institutional Ranking Framework. The institute collaborates with various national and international organizations, contributing significantly to scientific literature and innovation.
EYTE is privileged to have built the technologically advanced and modern classrooms, seminar halls, and collaborative rooms (total of 20 nos.) for the new Technology building of the Interdisciplinary Division of Research (IDR) at IISc under the guidance of CP&L Consultants. The IDR at IISc Bangalore promotes research that spans multiple scientific and engineering disciplines.
WHAT DID THE CLIENT WANT TO ACHIEVE?
The department head of the IDR section of IISC wanted to Create Modern, Technologically Equipped Classrooms for Research Students. The client wanted the rooms to have interactive learning AV technology, smart interactive boards with learning tools, built-in software, and access to a database.
Modern classrooms were designed to facilitate collaboration among students, researchers, and faculty. It was intended to have an environment for brainstorming, sharing of ideas, and collaborative problem-solving, leading to innovative research outcomes.
The High-quality infrastructure should support the showcase of advanced research projects to attract funding and collaborations from industry and government bodies, which in turn attracts top talent. The rooms should be technologically advanced for students to be adaptable and proficient with new tools and technologies, an essential trait in rapidly evolving fields.
SCOPE OF WORK YOUR COMPANY WAS INVOLVED IN
EYTE’s scope of work for IISC’s IDR department involved designing and building technologically advanced, world-class classrooms, seminar halls, and collaborative areas. This encompassed supply and installation of equipment, project management, and final commissioning. Specifically, EYTE enhanced the audio-visual capabilities of 4 seminar halls (75 pax), six classrooms (40 pax), 8 small rooms (20 pax), and one collaborative area (10 pax). The project began with site surveys and assessments conducted in collaboration with architects and contractors, followed by detailed drawings and schematics for equipment layouts, raceways, conducting, power, and data requirements. Next, EYTE installed audio-visual equipment, starting with cable laying and mount installation. Once the site was dust-free, the team installed AV equipment. Line-of-sight and viewing diagrams ensured optimal positioning of displays and cameras.
The scope for EYTE also included project management, which included timely delivery of equipment, coordination with other vendors on site and the architect, and monitoring the project progress through a Gantt chart. Training of the staff and facility team was also followed by multiple rounds of equipment testing.
WHAT KEY CHALLENGES WERE FACED?
The key challenges EYTE faced on-site were twofold. Firstly, our introduction to the project occurred at the completion stage, when the architects had already invested significant effort into achieving the desired aesthetics. As a result, obtaining the necessary dependencies and integrating our work without compromising the architectural intent proved to be a significant hurdle. Nevertheless, EYTE successfully navigated this challenge. Secondly, the client’s stringent timeline for project completion, driven by financial closure and the impending start of academic courses, demanded expedited equipment delivery. To meet the final go-live date, the EYTE team was required to work closely with manufacturers to ensure timely delivery and manage the project by working backwards from the deadline. Additionally, training academic senior teaching staff (who were not very technology savvy) and facility maintenance team members (who are required to maintain the equipment and first round of troubleshooting) through multiple rounds and levels of training presented an interesting and challenging aspect of the project.
HOW WERE THOSE CHALLENGES RESOLVED?
EYTE encountered three significant challenges on-site:
1. Late-stage integration: When EYTE was awarded the project, the site was nearing completion, so obtaining the necessary dependencies for seamless AV installations posed a challenge. Our team swiftly created detailed drawings, including raceway conduit and ceiling conduit diagrams, power, and data requirements, and collaborated with the architect and other vendors to clear these dependencies. Proactive project management ensured timely delivery and minimized rework.
2. Time-critical material delivery: Material delivery was crucial with a tight go-live deadline. Our procurement team efficiently sourced materials from multiple locations, working closely with manufacturers to ensure timely arrival. Standby equipment was also provided to prevent delays for long-lead items. Strong relationships with manufacturers and their support enabled EYTE to meet the project deadline.
3. User training and adoption: Training a senior group of professors posed a unique challenge. To address this, we designed an intuitive and user-friendly system, supported by concise user manuals and simple instructions from the AV team.
HOW HAS YOUR WORK HELPED THE CLIENT?
The advanced AV technology provided by EYTE has revolutionized the learning experience at IISC’s IDR department. Educators have created immersive, interactive, and inclusive learning environments that significantly enhance student understanding and retention of complex scientific and technological concepts by integrating cutting-edge AV solutions.
– Visual aids like interactive whiteboards, digital screens, and built-in digital tools help simplify complex scientific and technological concepts.
– Videoconferencing tools, wireless presentation systems, and interactive flat panels encourage group work and collaboration among the students.
– AV solutions like web conferencing tools, live streaming, and lecture capture systems are extending the reach of education beyond the physical classroom.
The introduction of advanced AV solutions has significantly enhanced the efficiency and productivity of the academic faculty. Furthermore, students are now more engaged and focused during lectures. The advanced AV solutions have not only transformed the learning experience but also enhanced the institute’s reputation, showcasing its commitment to embracing innovative technologies and providing a world-class education.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF ABOUT THE PROJECT?
EYTE’s most proud moment came when we had the opportunity to collaborate with the prestigious Indian Institute of Science (IISC), a renowned platform for advancing science and technology. As a technology solutions provider, we were thrilled to contribute to their mission by delivering cutting-edge tools that support their modern scientific research and high-end technology labs.
We successfully met the architectural intent and ensured seamless operations through meticulous project management, timely delivery, and proactive problem-solving, which eliminated the need for rework. Thanks to their understanding and cooperation, working with IISC was a truly rewarding experience.
Our comprehensive training and handover process further enhanced the project’s success, earning us a stellar reputation and opening doors for future collaborations. IISC’s appreciation and recognition are a testament to our team’s hard work and dedication, and we proudly consider it a feather in our company’s cap.
