Students Urged to Use Technology for Social Change at National Hackathon

Guntur, Andhra Pradesh: Secretary of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Hanumanthu Purushotham, has called on students to harness emerging technologies to tackle societal challenges. Speaking at the inauguration of “InnoGenesis Hackathon 5.0” on Friday, he emphasised the critical role of innovation, research, intellectual property, and startups in driving India’s development goals.

The national-level hackathon, hosted by the School of Computer Studies at Dr. RVR NRI Institute of Technology, drew participation from 273 teams comprising 924 students from engineering institutions across Andhra Pradesh and other states. Among them, 117 teams (380 participants) represented the host institution, while 156 teams (544 participants) came from other colleges.

Focus on Emerging Technologies and Industry Readiness

Addressing the participants, HCLTech Associate General Manager Vijayawada Srinivasu Nimmu highlighted the importance of continuous learning and industry preparedness. He urged students to build expertise in cutting-edge fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Agentic AI, and Data Science. Additionally, he stressed the need to cultivate teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving skills to thrive in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Vice-Chancellor K.R.S. Sambasiva Rao echoed these sentiments, advocating for universities to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and experiential learning. He encouraged students to focus on developing technology-driven solutions to address pressing societal issues.

Innovation Tracks and High Stakes

The hackathon features two main tracks: the 24-Hour Innovation Challenge and the Product Development Challenge. Participants are tasked with developing solutions in diverse areas, including Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), Robotics, Smart Infrastructure, Healthcare Technologies, Sustainability, Smart Energy, and Hardware Systems. Their efforts will be evaluated by a panel of academicians and industry experts.

The event will culminate on August 8, 2026, with 15 teams set to receive cash prizes totaling ₹5 lakh, along with trophies and certificates.

This initiative aligns with the broader vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047,” aiming to inspire young innovators to contribute meaningfully to India’s progress through technology and innovation.

Source: The Hindu