Thread by @thebetterindia

(1/17) After completing her degree in Interior Architecture, Upasana Pandey began working in a digital fabrication firm, where she says she learnt many tools.

(2/17) “I learnt the application of laser cutting machines, CNC machines, 3D printing techniques to design cool products, which helped me co-found my startup,” she recounts.
Upasana defines this as the inception of her ‘maker’ journey.

(3/17) Coming from an architecture background, I didn’t think something like Maker’s Asylum would be right for me. But I wanted to do exciting things, meet more people and work on complex world problems…

(4/17) So I decided to sign up for a 10-day programme, which set me on my path to working on social impact projects.

(5/17) Maker’s Asylum is a community platform started by engineer Vaibhav Chhabra, which has encouraged thousands across India to collaborate and innovate in the spaces of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM)

(6/17) By “providing them the confidence, tools, knowledge, space, and communities they need to change the world and become globally-conscious problem-solvers”.

(7/17) In 2016, they launched the SDG School to combine people’s love for innovation with the sustainable development goals (SDG) set by the United Nations.

(8/17) The result is a host of ideas and solutions that cut across sectors like healthcare, education, energy, waste management, and more.
Upasana is an alumnus of this programme, where she designed a board game to improve financial literacy.

(9/17) “My work is more interdisciplinary than before, and I’d give Maker’s Asylum credit for that,” she notes.
“Validating your prototypes and building products with actual impact was fulfilling. It was not theoretical nor academic; the work was purpose-driven,” she explains.

(10/17) After the conclusion of the programme, Upasana and her team received calls from banks like HDFC to use the game for their CSR activities. “Our prototype was featured in TedXGateway and The Inventors’ Challenge on Colors Infinity, Viacom18.

(11/17) I also had the chance to volunteer with Harvard-MIT students after the programme to work on another innovative project. Today I work as a design researcher with one of my mentors from the programme — it has been like coming full circle.”

(12/17) For Upasana, the SDG School also led to the understanding of how different disciplines could join to make something more meaningful.

(13/17) “The biggest takeaway from this was the real-life application of design thinking, not only for projects but to build empathy and understand the problem in actuality.”
Upasana advises budding innovators looking to join the programme,

(14/17) “The platform is good to get you started on your journey, and even two or three projects here can help change the world. Deviating from a set [career/academic] path is absolutely okay, so don’t be afraid to take those risks.”

(15/17) SDG School is a 2-weeks-long experiential learning program that brings together a talented tribe of #innovators and #changemakers to work on global problems.

(16/17) What’s more, it gives you special access to an international network of organisations, mentors and peers to kickstart your own journey as a purpose-driven leader.

(17/17) Submit your application now: bit.ly/3WoaMAy
#SDG #UN #UNDP #UNESCO #MakersAsylum #TheBetterIndia #Goa @makersasylum @unesconewdelhi @UNDP_India