Smart India Hackathon: Inauguration of SIH 2020 Software Edition at Nodal Centre

Mumbai: Smart India Hackathon (SIH) is a nationwide initiative that provides students a platform to solve some of the pressing problems we face in our daily lives, and thus inculcates a culture of product innovation and a mindset of problem solving. Smart India Hackathon is conducted every year since 2017 in two formats i.e. SIH Software and SIH Hardware Editions.

Smart India Hackathon used to be conducted at various nodal centers each year, where student participants, industry representative and mentors used to congregate physically at the assigned nodal centers to provide a solution on the selected problems.

This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which restricted movement and mass gatherings throughout the country, the SIH Software Edition is being conducted in ONLINE mode. Student participants, SIH coordinators and industry evaluators are coming together on a digital platform designed to facilitate the implementation of the event seamlessly, managed centrally by MHRD’s Innovation Cell & All India Council for Technical Education.

For the said purpose, S .P. Mandali’s Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research (WeSchool) has been selected as one of the nodal centers to facilitate the SIH software edition operations and support to participants. Total 35 teams having 210 participants are competing against seven problem statements from three organizations – CDK Global, MathWorks and MixORG. Each problem statement has a winning amount of One Lakh Rupees.

WeSchool will present We-Inspiration awards each of prize money Rs 25,000/- to two teams.

On 1st August, the Smart India Hackathon 2020 (Software Edition) was locally inaugurated from nodal centre S. P. Mandali’s Prin. L.

N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research (WeSchool) in the presence of Chief Guest – Shri. Ramanan Ramanathan, Mission Director Atal Innovation Mission Additional Secy., NITI AAYOG, Government of India, dignitaries from CDK Global, MathWorks, MixOrg; and Adv. Shri. S. K. Jain, Chairman – Managing Council & Chairman – College Development Committee, S.P. Mandali with Prof. Dr. Uday Salunkhe, Group Director, S.P. Mandali’s WeSchool.

Speaking at the inaugural, Adv. Shri. S. K. Jain, Chairman – Managing Council, & Chairman –College Development Committee, S. P. Mandali, said, “WeSchool is proud to be associated with the nationwide initiative ‘Smart India Hackathon 2020’ as it fosters a culture of innovation across campuses by boosting a student’s experiential learning and unlocking

their potential. The outcome of the virtual hackathon will see the youngsters gain an experience to work in teams as ideators and problem solvers”

Delighted to be a part of the 4th Edition of Smart India Hackathon 2020, Prof Dr. Uday Salunkhe, Group Director, WeSchool said, “WeSchool is truly delighted to be a part of the Smart India Hackathon Software Edition 2020 by AICTE (MHRD) for four consecutive years. The concept of the nationwide hackathon aims to imbue product innovation and a mindset of problem solving through technology. Year after year the initiative shapes young talent offering them the opportunity to apply their knowledge and help them acquire an experiential learning. These young ideators could someday be inspired to do phenomenal work as entrepreneurs and most of all as design thinkers in their managerial and leadership roles. Smart India Hackathon 2020 brings to light the brilliance of young minds from across campuses in India. These are the kind of initiatives in India that bring out the joy of learning through peer-to-peer interaction and industry- academia connectedness.

As always, WeSchool’s vision is to create future-ready professionals and global leaders who walk the extra mile in bringing about a positive difference in the society.”

The program was centrally inaugurated from New Delhi by Minister for HRD and Hon’ble Minister of State for HRD. The Hon’ble Prime Minister will also interact with the students on August 1, 2020 at 4:30 PM like he does every year.

This year SIH team and experts from participating ministries/ companies/ organizations will centrally monitor the performance of each student

innovator during hackathon and will decide on funding their innovation and on offering them an opportunity of internship or job at their organization.