Mangalore: Sahyadri College of Engineering and Management, Synergia 2024, the highly anticipated annual innovation and entrepreneurship event hosted by Sahyadri, officially kicked off today with a vibrant and cultural inauguration. The event, designed to provide students with hands-on learning experiences and industry exposure, serves as a platform for collaboration between students, faculty, and industry leaders to showcase student-driven projects.
The inauguration began with a cultural welcome, featuring the rhythmic beats of the Chende and a traditional Kalasha ceremony to honour the guests. Manjunath Bhandary, Chairman of Sahyadri College of Engineering and Management; Rahul V. Karad, Founder of MIT WPU; Dr. Aditi Karad, Executive Director of Vishwaraj Karad Hospital, Pune; Sumith Chauhan, Vice President of CSR at Mphasis Foundation; Datta Bhalchandra Dandge, Associate Professor at MIT; Bheema Prakash Adkasthala, Head of Service at Ericsson India, who collectively lit the ceremonial lamp, officially marking the beginning of Synergia 2024.
The principal welcomed the attendees, followed by Tejas Nayak, the Synergia Chief Coordinator, who extended a warm floral tribute to the distinguished guests and escorted them to the stage. The Principal's address underscored the importance of the Synergia initiative, emphasizing its mission of fostering entrepreneurship and innovation among students.
Johnson Tellis, CEO, delivered an inspiring keynote, highlighting Synergia's growth and its evolution into a major celebration of innovation. He expressed appreciation for Mphasis Foundation and MResults for their unwavering support. The event also featured talks by esteemed speakers, with Rahul V. Karad discussing the pivotal role of youth in societal change and the potential of the Synergia model as an institutional framework for fostering innovation. He emphasized India's self-reliance in technological advancements, stating, "We shouldn’t look to the west; the power lies in our education system." Dr. Aditi Karad elaborated on healthcare innovation, while Mr. Sumith Chauhan stressed the importance of CSR in promoting STEM education for girls. Mr. Datta Bhalchandra Dandge commended Synergia for its role in bridging the gap between academia and industry, further enriching the learning experience for students.
The dignitaries were honoured with the prestigious Sanmaana by Chairman Manjunath Bhandary, in recognition of their contributions to advancing education and industry. Other guests, Rita Francis from Mphasis and Santosh Rodrigues from Nirantara Ecoventures, lent their support to Synergia.
Chairman Manjunath Bhandary also spoke about Synergia's core vision, as well as the Sahyadri Science Talent Hun (SSTH), stressing the importance of fostering a mindset of innovation and encouraging students to ask the right questions. He highlighted the participation of over 500 girls at the event, underscoring the significance of skill development and its impact on shaping future leaders.
The inauguration concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Prashant Rao, who expressed his gratitude to all the speakers, guests, and participants for their contributions to making Synergia 2024 a resounding success. Synergia 2024 will continue over the next two days with a variety of workshops, technical events such as the UI Battle and Robo Soccer, industry talks, and high-energy activities including the Rubik's Cube challenge and a Hackathon. This dynamic line-up promises an enriching experience of learning, innovation, and hands-on creativity for all attendees.