M-Labs — A Machine Learning focused Accelerator Program for students at NIT Calicut

Introduction

MLabs is a machine learning-focused accelerator program initiated by NITC alumni. It is aimed at third year students at NITC and intends to enable students to build cutting-edge ML-based products. The framework of the program incorporates technical mentorship from highly accomplished alumni, cohesion with current academic requirements and appropriate guidance for evaluating entrepreneurship as a viable career option.

The first cohort of MLabs started their journey in 2018 with 3 students. In their 6th semester, they started the program by attempting a computer vision problem (Human pose estimation), with the help of MLabs mentors and conveners. They took this as their major project in 4th year and brought considerable improvements in the project by developing an automated checkout system. Here's a peek into their projects

Real-time Exercise Prediction

Automated Checkout Experience at Retail Stores

About Mlabs

MLabs grew out of a shared vision by alumni and faculty at NITC to kickstart a culture of entrepreneurship, of building pathbreaking technology products. Machine learning as a domain offers the right incentives for interested students, enthusiastic alumni-mentors and supportive faculty members to collaborate towards that objective. Indeed, MLabs stands for Machine Learning Labs.

However, the broader idea is to help students acquire solid technical product building skills as well as domain knowledge before considering a plunge into entrepreneurship. MLabs has been thoughtfully structured to that end. While early stages focus on understanding machine learning and appreciating its application to a certain commercial application, the later stages will help the cohort appreciate other aspects of product and business development. Hands-on mentorship from accomplished and knowledgeable mentors will be a common thread throughout.

MLabs Conveners and Mentors are accomplished NITC alumni who are experts in machine learning, seasoned hands at technical product development, or are experienced business leaders.

Convenors

Shreyas

CSE 2008

Dr. Ananth

Mech 2008

Venkatesh

Mech 2008

Dr. Abhilash

ECE 2008

Dr.Yadu

CSE 2008

Alumni

Hemanth

CSE 2019

Nabhan

CSE 2020

Pranav

CSE 2020

Cohort of 2021

Shifan

CSE 2022

Malavika

CSE 2022

Hepsi

CSE 2022

FAQ's

How will this program help me?

The most short-term benefit of MLabs is the flexibility it offers to work on a cutting-edge field in Computer Science area as a part of your B. Tech Project. In this endeavor, not only will you be guided by esteemed faculty members from the department but also NITC alumni and domain experts.

But most importantly, along with access to some of the best minds - NITC faculty and industry - as mentors you have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to convert your academic project work into your own start-up. It would not be amiss to remember Google - which was indeed one such project taken to its logical conclusion.

Can I use my work for a startup idea?

It is most certainly encouraged, and you can start on it as early as Phase I. Funding opportunities will be available in towards the end of Phase II depending on the quality of the work and its relevance to the commercial problem laid out.

Why only Machine Learning?

Besides being one of the most in-demand skills within Computer Science today, we felt learning and applying ML to everyday problems could be immensely joyful. The ability to solve an everyday problem and to see your solution get better is the joy of creation - and the MLabs mentors strongly believe that this desire to create something anew could light the entrepreneurial spark in many of the bright young minds at NITC.

Can I ask my tech mentors about topics (jobs, uni applications) other than my project work?

While this is not what the MLabs program is designed to provide, do write to us with your interest area or questions you would like to hear from alumni on. If we observe sufficient interest in certain clusters, we will try our best to find the alumni who can address those questions best.

Who owns the Intellectual Property (IP) of products rolled out of MLabs?

The answer is simple - creators own what they build. In case of MLabs it will be the cohort members, i.e. students, who will own the IPR to their work.

Can I get mentorship to turn my project into a start-up / building a commercial product / managing a start-up?

Starting up takes more than a product and MLabs will facilitate guidance on marketing, sales, finance and other critical aspects of starting and running your own company.

Any of our MLabs alumni-mentors with a deep industry background can also help you with inputs on turning your project work into an actual commercial product.

Additional mentors with expertise in these fields will soon be added to the MLabs roster and will be available for selected teams to consult with.

Will MLabs get me a job?

No. However, ML is one of the most sought after skill among recruiters for technology companies - both start-ups and established companies. You will miss this opportunity at your peril.

Can I work on a project/idea that is not related to Machine Learning or in the domain areas listed?

No. MLabs was designed to provide not only directions but also the support system for students to come up to speed much faster in computer vision/machine learning.

We will not be able to accommodate any other project ideas due our constraints in providing high-quality mentorship. However, selected students who successfully complete Phase I will be able to modify their B. Tech. project definition after due consultation with their respective faculty guides and alumni-mentors.