Integral University proudly hosts the Grand Finale of Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2024
The event commenced with a local inauguration ceremony, presided over by Chief Guest Prof. Vineet Kansal, Director of IET Lucknow, who emphasized the transformative role of technology and innovation in addressing societal issues, and said that it’s a unique opportunity to connect with problem solvers from across the country. He added that technology has evolved tremendously, and change is constant, so rather than focusing solely on specialized field, students should embrace interdisciplinary collaboration with peers from diverse backgrounds. Guest of Honor Shri B. M. Tiwari, Assistant Director of the National Education Alliance for Technology (NEAT), AICTE, praised the initiative for providing students with a unique opportunity to devise creative and impactful solutions to national problems.
Distinguished guest Mr. Guruprasad Datar, Nodal Centre Head and Director of Financial Services at Deloitte, emphasized that it’s a progressive India in the making, where youths collaborate to solve problems through creative solutions, paving the way for our nation to become a center of global innovation, whereas Mr. Madan Mohan Sharan Singh, Indovation Manager at the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell, another distinguished guest addressed the gathering, underscoring the importance of nurturing a culture of problem-solving and entrepreneurship among the youth.
Prof. Mohammad Haris Siddiqui, Registrar of Integral University, highlighted the university’s robust ecosystem that encourages innovation, while Dr. Nida Fatima, Executive Director of Integral Startups Foundation, extended a warm welcome and outlined the event’s objectives, schedule, and broader significance.
After the local ceremony, the Grand Finale was centrally inaugurated by Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, alongside Shri Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of state, Ministry of Education, Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Education, Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Chairman of AICTE, Dr. Abhay Jere, Vice Chairman of AICTE, Prof. Anil Sahastrabudhe, Former Chairman, AICTE, Shri Sant Ranjan, Head of Innovations at Godrej appliances, and other prominent officials from the Ministry of Education. A major highlight of the day was an interactive session with Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which inspired and motivated participants to innovate with purpose. The Prime Minister said that this event showcases a prime example of Sabka Prayas, helping young innovators share creative problem-solving ideas.
The hackathon featured approximately 120 participants from across the country, who worked tirelessly to tackle challenges posed by various ministries and organizations. Coding began at 9:30 AM and will continue overnight, with expert mentors providing guidance to refine their solutions. During the first evaluation session, teams presented their innovative ideas and responded to queries from a panel of judges. To maintain high energy levels, entertainment and recreational activities were also organized as well. The Grand Finale shall culminate on December 12, 2024, with the announcement of winning teams.
Integral University and Integral Startups Foundation take immense pride in hosting this national initiative, reaffirming their commitment to empowering the next generation of innovators and contributing to India’s vision of a brighter, technology-driven future.