Creative-minded undergraduate and postgraduate science and engineering students in the country submitted their innovative ideas of technological solutions using artificial intelligence and machine learning, big data computation, cyber security, and data-driven finance at the SERB-INAE Hackathon 2022.

A total of six Prizes were announced at the Hackathon organised jointly by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) and Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE).

First and second prizes were awarded on the themes Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning and Cyber Security. Second prizes were awarded on the themes Big Data Computation and Data-Driven Finance. A Cash Prize of Rs 75,000 was given to the winning team and Rs 50,000 to the first runner-up.

The Hackathon, which started on September 3, at Jadavpur University, Kolkata, received 75 applications from all over India, and 35 teams were shortlisted for participation. The shortlisted teams participated in person at Jadavpur University, Kolkata. Technically worked for 30 hours continuously on the assigned problem and were evaluated after every 6 hours by the experts from various pioneering Engineering Institutes/ Organisations across India. Prof Sivaji Chakravorti, Vice-President, INAE, steered this entire activity. Prof Rajib Bandyopadhyay, Jadavpur University, was the Co-ordinator for SERB-INAE Hackathon 2022.

Prof Indranil Manna, President, INAE, and Prof Sandeep Verma, Secretary, SERB Chief Guest, joined virtually during the valedictory session which was held in Hybrid mode. They emphasised on the importance of introducing digital gaming initiatives to young students. Prof Suranjan Das, Vice-Chancellor, Jadavpur University, highlighted that this hackathon provided a platform to solve problems pertaining to the themes which encompassed new and emerging areas of science and engineering. The Hackathon was attended physically by 100 participants, INAE fellows and dignitaries, and several others online.