Puttur: A one-day internal hackathon was successfully organized at St Philomena College, Puttur, as a prelude to the prestigious Smart India Hackathon. Held at the Silver Jubilee Memorial Hall, the event was coordinated by the Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) in collaboration with the Department of Computer Science on Saturday. This hackathon aimed to foster innovation, problem-solving skills, and teamwork among students by encouraging them to tackle real-world challenges.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation, with 29 teams comprising students from BCA, BBA, BSc, and BCom streams taking part. The teams, each consisting of six members, were required to choose a problem statement from the Smart India Hackathon website and present two distinct solutions. To facilitate their efforts, the college provided seating arrangements, internet access, and refreshments. The Old Students’ Association and the Parent-Teachers’ Association sponsored lunch and refreshments for the participants, ensuring the event ran smoothly.
The hackathon kicked off at 8:30 AM with the presence of Rev. Dr Antony Prakash Monteiro, Principal of the College, Yatindranath Rai, President of the Parent-Teachers’ Association, and several office-bearers from the Old Students’ Association. Professors from the Computer Science and BBA departments, along with members of the IIC, encouraged the students throughout the day.
A key feature of the event was the guidance provided by mentors. Glenson Tony, Assistant Professor of Electronics and Communication at St Joseph’s College of Engineering and Coordinator of the Training and Placement Cell, along with senior students such as Pranitha K.S., Gavin Chris Mascarenes, Ranjan Naik, and Naveen Kumar, offered their expertise and advice. They visited each team, providing technical insights and encouraging the students to think innovatively.
Speaking about the hackathon, Vinayachandra, Dean and Head of the Department of Computer Science, expressed his enthusiasm for the projects presented. He noted that the hackathon pushed students to think beyond their coursework, saying, “The projects presented today are in their early stages, but with expert guidance from our faculty and industry professionals, they have the potential to be developed further. Ten of the top projects selected by the judges will be incubated under the New Age Innovation Network (NAIN) 2.0, soon to be established at the college.”
The hackathon concluded with a prize distribution ceremony, which was held at 5:00 PM. The first prize was awarded to Rumaiz and his team from Second BCA, while Sinan and team from Third BCA secured second place, and Muhammad Afghan and team from Second BBA won third prize. Senior Product Security Specialist at SAP Labs, Bangalore, and Chief Guest, Pranitha K.S., lauded the participants for their innovative thinking and encouraged them to improve their communication skills, which she stressed would be vital in presenting their ideas to a broader audience.
Vice Principal Dr Vijayakumar M. admired the participants, remarking, “There is no limit to human imagination and innovation. With the right mentorship and guidance, even the most seemingly impossible ideas can become reality.”
Participants shared positive feedback on the event. Uma Padmanabha Alva, a Third BCA student, commented, “This was my first experience in a hackathon. It was a unique challenge that pushed us to think beyond the syllabus and apply our knowledge in a practical way.”
The hackathon not only provided students with an opportunity to hone their technical skills but also created a platform for interdisciplinary collaboration and creative problem-solving. The projects developed during the hackathon will be further refined and submitted for the Smart India Hackathon, showcasing the talent and innovative spirit of the students of St Philomena College.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Harshith Kumar. Sriraksha B.V. compered for the day. The hackathon was a collaborative effort, with IIC members Suraksha S. and Tanuja N.P., as well as students from Third BCA, playing a key role in the organization of the event.