Chandigarh: 20th November, 2024: The Bachelor of Design (B.Des.) students of the college brought laurels to the institute by dominating the Design Trek Ideathon 2024 hosted by the National Institute of Design (NID), Kurukshetra, on November 13, 2024. Out of four teams representing PEC, all the top positions were proudly secured by the students showcasing their exceptional creativity, innovation, and dedication.
This remarkable achievement is a testament to the unshuttering support and guidance from the Department, which has consistently nurtured young minds to think beyond conventional boundaries. Under the coordination of Prof. R.S. Walia, Head of the W&SDC, B. Des. students were provided with invaluable exposure to collaborative learning and real-world challenges. This approach not only enhanced their learning experience but also equipped them with practical skills that helped them excel in national platforms.  The B.Des. program, launched in 2023, has rapidly established itself as a hub for transformative design education.  

First position was won by the team “Sukoon” under the guidance of Prof RS Walia and Dr. Shagun Sharma including team members Sukhleen Kaur Walia, Gandharbi Chakravarty, Karman Kaur Sandhu, Harkanwal Singh Itten. Under the theme "Health and Wellness", the heating bag integrates an advanced heating mechanism to alleviate pain from menstrual cramps, UTIs, and muscle aches. Developed through a design thinking process that students learnt in their curriculum in the foundational year, including research and usability testing. Further, they iterated the bag based on feedback to ensure user-centredness. Sukoon stands as a beacon of empathy-driven design, empowering women with comfort and dignity.

Second position was bagged by team “Kiran” under the guidance of Dr. Shagun Sharma including team members Aaviral Bisht and Mohith Tiwari. These students worked on sustainable food preservation appliances, tackling the challenge of food spoilage. Kiran is a solar-powered device that naturally preserves fruits and vegetables through low-temperature drying. Switching to electrical energy when needed, it is cost-effective, eco-friendly, and compact, making it an ideal solution for both rural and urban households. This sustainable approach not only minimizes food waste but also ensures nutritious, long-term storage of produce like vegetables. This project integrates the principles of sustainable design, energy efficiency, and user-centered innovation.

Third position was gained by team “Dekh-Rekh” under the guidance of Dr. Vaibhao Athaley including team members Atman Roy, Tania Sathwara, Aakash Anand and Raunak Aneja. It is a mobile app designed to assist new parents, to track critical health metrics of newborns, including feeding times, urination frequency, and weight. With real-time alerts for abnormal readings, the app helps parents ensure timely medical intervention. In hospital settings, doctors can use the data to prioritize care and neonatal health management. The app blends technology with compassion, offering peace of mind to parents and streamlining healthcare for newborns. The project includes basics of interactive design and creative visual elements and interface design.
Prof. Rajendra Madhukar Belokar, the Head of Production and Industrial Engineering Department underscored the talent of the students and also highlighted the effectiveness of the institute design pedagogy. He also emphasized the department's vision on practical problem-solving to tackle pressing societal issues with creativity and innovation.
Prof Rajesh Kumar Bhatia, Director PEC congratulated all the winning teams for their stellar performance. The student’s success continues to inspire the next generation of designers at Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University).