Kozhikode: It was a proud moment for the students and teachers of Kerala Government Polytechnic College, West Hill, Kozhikode as 30 e-autos by Axeon Ventures, assembled by the students at the college workshop, were taken over by the Kozhikode Corporation. The civic body will use the e-autos for garbage collection by Haritha Karma Sena in the city.
The Haritha Karma Sena received the vehicles from MB Rajesh, Minister for Local Self-Government, in the presence of Kozhikode Mayor Beena Philip on Friday.
The Corporation procured 30 vehicles for Rs.2.4 crore and 45 more will be procured soon under the ‘Industry on Campus’ (ICO) initiative of the Higher Education Department of the state government.
The government had signed an MOU with Axeon Ventures to get the e-autos required for the Corporation’s Nagara Sanchayam project. Under this, students assembled the LL3 category e-autos after receiving the requisite training.
“Maybe this is the first for any college in the country where college students are assembling vehicles and handing them over to a company,” college faculty member and ICO coordinator T. Sayuj told OnManorama.
Under the MoU between the Kozhikode-based Axeon Ventures and the Additional Skill Acquisition Program (ASAP) Authority, the company would provide all the technical support and spare parts and the students would hand over the assembled vehicles, said college Principal P.K. Abdul Salam.
Some 40 students from different branches were part of the first phase of the project. In the coming phases, more students will join as the output is 45 units.
“It is a triple achievement for our students to be part of such a project. A new skill will help them in their future career, they could earn while learning, and they can try for jobs with this experience certificate when other companies come to the campus for placement drives,” he said.
Students were assigned the work in different shifts without affecting their academics. In return, they got a stipend for each day’s work and finally got an experience certificate from the company, he added.
Some students worked for more than 80 hours for the project. “It was good to put classroom learning to practical use,” said Mohammed Shabeer, who worked 88 hours on the project. He is a 2nd year student in the ‘Tool and Die’ branch.
“As part of the Nagara Sanchayanam project, the Corporation is providing an e-auto to every ward. The 45 vehicles in the making will be distributed by March,” said Minister Rajesh during the handing-over function held at Kandamkulam Jubilee Hall.