The Department of Electronics & Communication Engineering of Mangalore Institute of Technology & Engineering (MITE) organized a one-day workshop titled “From Ideas to Impact: Project Planning, Funding, and Ethical Practices” on 6th October 2025 from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The workshop aimed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the project development cycle from ideation to execution while emphasizing the importance of ethics and funding in research and innovation. It served as an essential learning platform for students to translate their academic knowledge into impactful, real-world projects.

The session was conducted by Dr. Sunil C. K, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Dharwad. Dr. Sunil holds a Ph.D. from NITK Surathkal and brings an excellent blend of research expertise and hands-on mentoring experience. His research interests include Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning, and Computer Vision, with significant applications in agriculture and cybersecurity. He has authored publications in several high-impact international journals such as AI Review (IF 12), Expert Systems with Applications (IF 8.5), and Computers & Electronics in Agriculture (IF 8.3). Over the years, Dr. Sunil has successfully guided students on a range of AI-based projects, including intelligent crop monitoring systems and anomaly detection mechanisms. His proficiency in structuring research ideas into implementable projects and his emphasis on maintaining ethical standards in engineering research made him an ideal resource person for this workshop.

The workshop began with an engaging session where Dr. Sunil introduced students to the fundamentals of project ideation, planning, and execution. He discussed the importance of defining clear objectives, identifying potential challenges, setting achievable milestones, and ensuring ethical responsibility in project work. The session also highlighted various funding avenues available for student research, including institutional grants and government-supported initiatives. Through relatable examples and case studies, Dr. Sunil explained how simple ideas could be transformed into innovative projects with societal relevance. His insights on balancing innovation with professional ethics resonated strongly with the audience.

During the session, students were divided into small groups and encouraged to brainstorm and draft short project proposals based on their interests. The exercise enabled participants to apply the principles discussed in the earlier session. Selected groups presented their ideas before the resource person, who provided constructive feedback on technical feasibility, novelty, and clarity of objectives. The interactive nature of the session encouraged healthy discussions among students, allowing them to refine their ideas and gain a clearer perspective on project development processes. The activity not only enhanced teamwork and analytical skills but also boosted students’ confidence in preparing proposals for real-world funding opportunities.

By the end of the workshop, participants gained valuable insights into the complete project life cycle from identifying an innovative idea to developing a well-structured, fundable, and ethically sound project. The workshop successfully nurtured creative thinking, ethical awareness, and professional discipline among students. Participants expressed that the session significantly improved their understanding of systematic project planning and inspired them to pursue research-oriented initiatives with a sense of social responsibility.

The event was well coordinated by Mr. Divyesh Divakar, Assistant Professor, and Ms. Vidya Dudhanikar, Assistant Professor, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, MITE, Moodabidri. A total of 131 fifth-semester students actively participated in the workshop. Their enthusiastic involvement and interaction throughout the sessions made the event highly successful. The department appreciated the efforts of the organizing team and expressed gratitude to Dr. Sunil C. K for delivering such an insightful and thought-provoking workshop that emphasized both innovation and integrity in engineering practice.