Udupi, November 3, 2025: The inaugural ceremony of “Hackotsava 2025”, a National-Level 30-hour Hackathon, was held on Monday, November 3, 2025, at the Shri Madhwa Vadiraja Institute of Technology and Management (SMVITM), Bantakal. The event brought together some of the most creative and tech-driven young minds from across the country to collaborate and innovate on real-world problems.
Chief Guest’s Address: Learning Through Challenges
The ceremony was graced by Mr Wilson Fernandes, Founder of Fernandes Group, who served as the Chief Guest. In his inspiring inaugural address, Mr Fernandes urged the participants to approach every challenge with confidence, curiosity, and clarity of purpose.
“Failure is never the end; it is a stepping stone to success. Keep experimenting, keep learning, and innovation will follow,”
he encouraged, motivating students to embrace persistence and creativity as the foundation of progress.
Presidential Remarks: Encouraging Innovation and Teamwork
The event was presided over by Prof. Dr Radhakrishna S. Aithal, CEO, SODE Group of Institutions, Udupi. In his presidential address, Dr Aithal commended the organisers and participants for their dedication and collaborative spirit, which made the national-level hackathon a success.
“Hackathons like Hackotsava serve as incubators of innovation — fostering teamwork, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial thinking among students,”
he noted, emphasising the institution’s commitment to nurturing young innovators.
Dignitaries and Participants
The ceremony was attended by Dr Nagaraj Bhat, Dean (Academics); Mr Chandrashekar Rao Kuthyar, Faculty In-charge of Hackotsava 2025; and Mr Sumedh Navuda, Student Coordinator, along with faculty members, student volunteers, and participants from various institutions across the country.
The event marks the beginning of an intense 30-hour coding marathon, where over 200 students are expected to develop software solutions for industry problem statements. The hackathon aims to promote technological innovation and industry-academia collaboration, reflecting SMVITM’s vision of creating a platform for practical, outcome-based learning.
Empowering Youth Through Technology
Organised under the leadership of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Hackotsava 2025 provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate their technical skills, creativity, and teamwork. The event also encourages partnerships between local industries and academic talent, bridging the gap between innovation and implementation.