Cluster Innovation Centre
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Motto in English | Evolving Senses, Dissolving Boundaries[1] |
|---|---|
| Type | Public |
| Established | 2011[2] |
| Founder | Prof. Dinesh Singh |
Parent institution | University of Delhi |
| Accreditation | UGC |
| Endowment | ₹18 crores (2022-23)[3] |
| Director | Shobha Bagai |
Academic staff | 20+ |
| Undergraduates | 350+ |
| Postgraduates | 40+ |
| 15+ | |
| Location | North Campus, Delhi University, Delhi 28°41′27.5274″N 77°12′51.1054″E / 28.690979833°N 77.214195944°E |
| Campus | Urban, 67 acres (27 ha) |
| Acronym | DU CIC |
| Website | cic |
 | |
The Cluster Innovation Centre (DU CIC) pronounced [sɐ̃kʊlɐ nɐʋɐpɾɐʋɐɾt̪ɐnɐ kẽd̪ɾɐ] is a Government of India-funded center established under the aegis of the University of Delhi. It was founded in 2011 by Prof. Dinesh Singh, the then Vice Chancellor of the University of Delhi, and introduced Innovation as a credit-based course for the first time in India.[4]
The Cluster Innovation Centre was conceptualized to foster innovation and connect academic research with practical applications. It was established during the tenure of Prof. Dinesh Singh, then Vice Chancellor of the University of Delhi. The National Innovation Council proposed the development of 20 University Innovation Centres across the country, with CIC serving as the prototype for this initiative.[5][6]
Objectives
CIC aims to develop a culture of innovation within the academic system and to connect research with societal needs. Its primary objectives include promoting innovative degree programs, educating students and faculty through innovation-focused schemes, supporting application-oriented research, and facilitating collaborations with industries, academia, and other stakeholders. It also focuses on commercializing innovations to make them accessible to end users, addressing real-world problems through student projects, and developing affordable and sustainable innovations that benefit a broad audience.[5][7]
Academic Programs
CIC offers interdisciplinary academic programs spanning undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels.
Undergraduate Programs
The Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) in Information Technology and Mathematical Innovations is a four-year program that integrates mathematics and information technology to cultivate an innovation-driven mindset. Students in this program can earn a minor degree in fields such as electronics, management, or computational biology.[8]
The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Humanities and Social Sciences, offered under the "Meta College" concept, is another four-year interdisciplinary program.[9] It enables students to design their degree by majoring in fields like environmental science, tourism, geography, literature, media and communication studies, natural sciences, or psychology.[10] This program encourages projects addressing societal issues, often in collaboration with organizations like the Delhi Jal Board, Delhi Police, National Association of the Deaf, and other non-governmental organizations.[11][12]
Postgraduate Program
The Master of Science (M.Sc) in Mathematics Education is a two-year program jointly offered by the University of Delhi and Jamia Millia Islamia. This program aims to innovate mathematics pedagogy by integrating interdisciplinary methods, such as storytelling, projects, and participatory learning, with a focus on using technology to enhance education.[13]
Doctoral Research
CIC offers Ph.D. Programs under the Faculty of Technology with an interdisciplinary approach. Research areas include mathematics, information technology, computer science, physics, computational biology, nanotechnology, environmental sciences, humanities and social sciences, media and communication studies, and psychology.[15]
Admissions
Before 2022, Delhi University conducted a Delhi University Entrance Test (DUET) for admission into the Cluster Innovation Centre.
In the present day, admissions to CIC’s programs are conducted through the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Ph.D. admissions are based on the National Eligibility Test (NET) scores conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).[16]
