KTR launched the first-ever fellowship programme

IT and Industries Minister KT Rama Rao yesterday launched the first-ever fellowship programme of State Innovation Cell and also the first batch of Innovation Fellows were inducted into the cell. The cell is designed to attract young professionals from different backgrounds to work with the government and drive innovation in the state.

The Telangana State Innovation Cell has invited several partners including Ashoka Innovators for the Public (Ashoka.org) to build the culture of changemaking in the state. The Fellowship will be a one-year programme, conceptualized to enable visionary and motivated professionals to work with the government, towards the vision of building an innovation-driven economy in the state.

The selection process was highly competitive where less than one per cent of the applicants made it to the final selection. The candidates have been selected based on an extensive process including resume shortlisting, essay evaluation, and personal interviews. The batch includes entrepreneurs, engineers, social development professionals, students from journalism and arts and a lawyer with each of them having their own ideas to nurture the culture of innovation in the state.

A few projects the Innovation Fellows are leading include working with schools to promote a culture of innovation thinking, kick starting innovation and entrepreneurship activity at district level, promoting startup incubators, creating mentor ecosystem and promoting grass-root innovators.