Assam down town University, through the Faculty of Paramedical and Rehabilitation Sciences (FPAR) in collaboration with the Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC), successfully organized a workshop on “Innovate to Rehabilitate: Design Thinking in Orthotics & Prosthetics”. 

The workshop aimed to introduce students and faculty to the significance of innovation, user-centered design, and practical problem-solving in the field of Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P). The session featured two distinguished resource persons, Mr. Mritunjay Kumar, Senior Prosthetist & Orthotist, Founder of Sparsh Prosthetic and Orthotic Clinic, who shared valuable clinical insights on developing orthotic and prosthetic devices that are functional, comfortable, and meaningful for users; and Mr. Nilotpal Baruah, CEO of Symbica Pvt. Ltd., who brought a technological and entrepreneurial perspective, highlighting the role of engineering and interdisciplinary collaboration in rehabilitation sciences. 

The speakers emphasized the importance of design thinking, encouraging solutions that are based on the real needs and experiences of patients while involving clinicians, engineers, designers, and technicians in the innovation process. They also discussed the critical role of rigorous testing, validation, and user evaluation before launching any orthotic or prosthetic product to ensure safety, durability, and functionality. 

The workshop was attended by faculty members from the Department of Physiotherapy and enthusiastic students who actively engaged in discussions and interactive sessions. Overall, the workshop proved to be an enriching learning experience, broadening participants’ understanding of innovation and collaborative approaches in rehabilitation while inspiring them to develop creative, practical, and user-centered healthcare solutions.