realme Partners with iHub AWaDH to Set Up 6 Tinkering Labs in Schools

New Delhi, March 19, 2026: realme has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with iHub AWaDH (Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub at IIT Ropar) to establish six tinkering labs in schools across India, as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative focused on education and skill development.

The initiative aims to promote innovation, creativity, and scientific thinking among school students by providing hands-on exposure to emerging technologies. The labs will be supported with mentoring and technical expertise from iHub AWaDH and are inspired by the framework of the Atal Innovation Mission under NITI Aayog.

The proposed tinkering labs will serve as innovation hubs where students can engage with technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, electronics, and cyber-physical systems. The programme is designed to encourage problem-solving, design thinking, and real-world application of technology, contributing to the development of a future-ready workforce aligned with national initiatives like Digital India, Skill India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Commenting on the partnership, Francis Wong, CMO, realme India, said, “At realme India, we see technology not merely as a tool, but as a powerful disruptor and creator, one that can meaningfully contribute to building a future-ready India. Aligned with the objectives of NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), our partnership with iHub AWaDH to establish Tinkering Labs reflects our commitment to bring in inclusivity and nurture curiosity, creativity in young minds. Through this initiative, we aim to give school students hands-on opportunities to explore emerging technologies such as IoT, robotics, and artificial intelligence. We believe that igniting this spirit of innovation early will empower the next generation of thinkers, problem-solvers, and technology leaders who will shape the India of tomorrow.”

Dr Radhika Trikha, CEO iHub-AWaDH, said, “India has one of the world’s largest youth populations, yet the country continues to face a significant technology skill gap. Recent reports indicate that only about 42 - 56% of graduates are considered employable, while only around one in five young people currently receive training in advanced technologies such as AI and digital tools, highlighting a major gap between education and industry needs. Through this collaboration between iHub - AWaDH and Realme, we aim to bridge this gap by creating a structured pathway-from tinkering labs in schools to advanced technology skilling centres-that enables young learners to gain hands-on exposure to electronics, innovation, and device technologies. Our vision is to empower students and youth with practical, industry-relevant skills that enhance employability, entrepreneurship, and India’s technology workforce of the future.”

The initiative reflects a growing focus on industry-academia collaboration to strengthen early-stage innovation ecosystems and equip students with skills relevant to evolving technological demands.