Pvt varsity sets up $1 million fund to combat Covid-19

Jalandhar, April 4

Lovely Professional University (LPU) on Friday announced that it had set up a fund of USD 1 million to combat the outbreak of Covid. The fund can be accessed by a multi-disciplinary task force set up under the LPU Vice-Chancellor.

Researchers, faculty members and student entrepreneurs are part of the task force who will work towards finding ways to flatten the curve and reduce the spread of the epidemic over the course of next few months. The university will continue to add to the fund in the due course of time.

The task force aims to use the latest technologies such as AI, machine learning, IoT and 3D printing to control the spread of the coronavirus. It will also research the economic and social impact being caused by Covid.

It has been in action for the past two weeks and the first product developed by it is an IoT device known as ‘Kawach’ to promote safe social distancing. The device, which can be worn as a pendant, vibrates and glows in case someone breaches the user’s safe space of 1 metre.

The device is equipped with a hand wash reminder and a temperature sensor. The pilot testing of ‘Kawach’ has been successfully conducted and the team is now looking for the right manufacturing partners.

Ashok Mittal, Chancellor, LPU, said: “At the LPU, we have brought together the best minds across disciplines to find solutions that can help reduce the spread of the pandemic.” — TNS