Concept paper submitted to the conference on redeveloping Northern and Easter Provinces organized by the Canadian Tamil Congress held on 15th January 2017

1. DIY Innovation Center
­ Explore, Experiment, Innovate and Create­
Prepared by K.Sarveswaran,
Department of Computer Science,
University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
Rationale:
It is also important to plan for future while focus on existing issues in education system.
According to the World Economic Forum 2016 annual session, now fourth industrial
revolution is building on the Third, the digital revolution that has been occurring since the
middle of the last century. It is characterized by a fusion of technologies that is blurring the
lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres. On the other hand a popular study
shows that 65% of children entering primary school today will ultimately end up working in
completely new job types that don’t yet exist. Developments in genetics, artificial intelligence,
robotics, nanotechnology, 3D printing and biotechnology, to name just a few, are all building
on and amplifying one another. This will lay the foundation for a revolution more
comprehensive and all­encompassing than anything we have ever seen.
The future of jobs reported of the World Economic Forum 2016 proves (based on the
responses from 13 million survey respondents) that Complex Problem Solving, Critical
Thinking, and Creativity would be the top three skills in 2020. However, in the current
secondary education structure not many spaces are provided for students to develop these
skills. There are traditional events like Tamil vizha and exhibitions, but had not been revamped
for long time. Many of these are not updated by keeping future in mind.
On the other hand it is evident, based on past experience, that schools students are capable of
innovation if they are provided suitable platforms and tools with motivation and right
guidance. A social enterprise called Yarl IT Hub together with the Provincial Department of
Education, Northern Province have been organizing an annual competition called Yarl Geek
Challenge – Junior among secondary schools students to introduce them modern technologies
and encourage them to think out the box since 2013. In these competition students
pkarticipate as teams. Prior to the competitions, half a day sessions in each educational zone
are conducted to introduce technologies and to inspire them to think out of the box. Later,
students are evaluated at the zonal level and then invited to provincial level evaluation based
on the interest they show. Before the provincial level evaluations, industry experts will support
students for one day to fine­tune their product. Then the evaluations take place. During this
competition students have demonstrated tools to automate homes, monitor vehicles, replace
some of the Google services etc which are fresh ideas and they always come up with working
prototypes. All audiences, including Judges, industry experts and academics have consistently
been in awe of the products, passion and the capacity exhibited by the students.. In the last
few years we had seen a pattern emerging, where Students from Vanni and other rural areas
out performing and wining more awards than the students from Jaffna district.
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2. Further, in the secondary education system students get very less opportunity to get hands­on
experience though they are very interested due to several reasons that cannot be corrected in
very near future. Even in places where students get chance to do some hands­on, they do
under pressure as their teachers are around. Students also afraid to share their ideas thinking
they are worthless.
DIY ­ Innovation center
Do­IT­Yourself (DIY) center is here by proposed to provide a platform for secondary school
students to develop skills required for the 21st
Century. Any secondary students can walk­in
with a letter from their principal. In addition any other young person below 20 years can also
join. However, they will be charged a nominal fee.
Initially it is planned to introduce Open hardware devices that will help to interface with
existing appliances and mechanical devices. In addition, facilities to try out electronics
circuiting, web development and mobile app development also will be setup. Mentors who will
be at the centre will facilitate students who come. Students will be given freedom to come and
try out new things. The Center will also take necessary steps to secure the intellectual property
rights.
Governance: a board that has participation from provincial department of education, ministry
of education, Yarl IT Hub and other relevant experts will govern the center.
Human resource requirements: The center will be driven by an executive officer who is hired
in contract basis and has industrial exposure. In addition, there will be part time paid and
volunteer mentors who will be there in roster based to support students.
Physical resource requirements: A building with atleast three rooms, one big hall and two
toilets would be sufficient for this center to function for the very first year. The environment
should be comfort and welcome new thoughts. The location should be in a central place where
everyone can easily access.
Tools and software requirements: Electronic kits, Internet connection, computers, video
conference facilities and other required software are necessary for students to materialize their
imagination. In addition, students should have access to learning materials and collaboration
platforms through which they can get knowledge and expert advice. People in abroad will also
get a chance to connect their roots.
Impact:
The center will help inspire the students to develop skills required for 21st
century including
critical thinking, problem solving, creative thinking, life long learning. The center will also
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3. serve as a showcase of students innovation. More importantly this serves as a place where
students can unleash their thinking without any barriers and learn to fail in their life without
any fear.
The center would also create a maker mindset which is a growth mindset encourages students
to believe that they can learn to do anything. Makers are intrinsically motivated. They identify
their own challenges and solve new problems. Making provides ample opportunities to deeply
understand difficult concepts. Makers seek out STEM content to improve their projects, and
they cross disciplines to achieve their goals, rather than staying within one specialty.
Therefore, this will improve their academic performances.
Performance indicators:
The center, which is well equipped, will produce minimum 5 working prototypes which solves
real world problems in a year. However, the attitude change and acquirement of skills cannot
be easily evaluated within one year.
Potential Partners:
 Ministry of Education, Northern Province
 Provincial Department of Education, Northern Province
 Yarl IT Hub
References and similar initiatives:
 Makerspace Playbook, School Edition, 2013.
 The Future of Jobs, Employment, Skills and Workforce Strategy for the Fourth
Industrial Revolution, Global Challenge Insight Report, World Economic Forum,
January, 2016.
 Starting a School Makerspace from Scratch, Edutopia, 2015.
 Renovated Learning, Building a Culture of Creativity + Discovery in Education,
http://renovatedlearning.com.k
 Makerkids.com, 2451 Bloor St W, Toronto.
Contact details:
R. Raveenthiran,
Secretary
Ministry of Education youth affair, sport & cultural affairs
rasar60@gmail.com
K. Sarveswaran
Yarl IT Hub
sarves@yarlithub.org
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