riidl launches Riidl Academy under Somaiya Vidyavihar University, offers bachelor’s degree in Design
Mumbai riidl (Research Innovation Incubation Design Laboratory) an initiative by Somaiya Vidyavihar was established to nurture Design, Entrepreneurship and Innovation amongst its students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members beyond campus. riidl has now launched Riidl Academy to strengthen its purpose and begin its academic endeavours. Riidl Academy, a constituent college of Somaiya Vidyavihar University, offers a 4 year full time undergraduate degree program – Bachelor of Design.
Program’s evolving curriculum is based on 4 pillars: Design, Technology, Business and Humanities. Innovation happens at the boundaries of these pillars. It has been specially designed for students to carve their own Product Design journey depending on their interests and contemporary needs by selecting courses & thrust areas. (Thrust areas: Governance, Sustainability, Healthcare, Biotech, Agri-tech, Food & Nutrition, Robotics, Mobility, Education, Entertainment, Fin-tech, etc)
The four-year program provides an opportunity for young, dynamic individuals to hone Product Design skills and practice Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Program facilitates connecting deeply with the real world to develop awareness & empathy to identify core challenges of the world today. The Design thinking based curriculum will empower students to build physical / tangible products or screen based products with strong focus on User Experience, Business viability and Sustainability.
Their unique program delivery methods seek to combine classroom sessions with intensive focus on industry knowledge through Design challenges, internships and live projects.
Distinctiveness of the program:
● Design Thinking based evolving curriculum with 4 foundational pillars – Design, Technology, Business, and Humanities
● Experiential learning – Real Design challenges, International exchange programs, Strategic partnerships and internships
● Strong focus on attributes of product design: Functionality, Aesthetics, and Sustainability
● Diverse Faculty from across the globe – experts who are passionate about teaching
● Soft skills coach to help students build Confidence, Creativity and Communication skills
● World-class Laboratories to build prototypes and special grants to support Innovation
● Thriving Design and Innovation communities on campus to stay connected & inspired
Speaking about the program, Gaurang Shetty, Program Director, Riidl Academy said, “Experiential Learning and Design Thinking are two most important things in today’s world. We are thrilled to announce the launch of Riidl Academy which offers the Bachelor of Design program. The Design program leverages riidl’s foundation in the Global Design & Innovation ecosystem coupled with the multidisciplinary academic experience at Somaiya Vidyavihar University.”
riidl is a technology business incubator that supports the creation and incubation of early-stage companies from ideation to commercialization by providing them with resources, labs, government grants, investor connects, funding and mentorship.
This year, Riidl Academy is Revolutionizing Education by introducing it’s one of a kind Bachelor of Design Program.
Riidl Academy, an institution without boundaries, is leading the way to reinvent Design education through its 4 year undergraduate program – Bachelor of Design in sustainable Product Design. Its model is based on student – centered project based learning and multidisciplinary curriculum. This program is relevant to times we live in focusing on values of Adaptability, Accountability and Altruism.