Mangaluru: St. Joseph Engineering College (SJEC), Mangaluru, successfully inaugurated the fourth edition of its flagship hackathon, Hack to Future 4.0 (HTF 4.0), on April 15, 2026, at the Kalam Auditorium. The event was organised by the Training and Placement Cell in association with the Department of Computer Science & Engineering, the Department of Intelligent Computing and Business Systems, and Sceptix, with EG India as the title sponsor.

The inaugural ceremony marked the beginning of a 36-hour innovation-driven hackathon aimed at fostering creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving among students from across the country.

Strong participation and competitive selection

The programme began with an invocation by the college choir, followed by a video presentation showcasing highlights from the previous edition, HTF 3.0. The formal proceedings commenced with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp.

Ashley Pinto, Lead Student Convenor, welcomed the gathering and highlighted the evolution and success of Hack to Future over the years. This year’s edition witnessed an overwhelming response, with over 3,000 registrations and participation from 700 teams nationwide. Following a rigorous screening process, 41 teams were shortlisted for the final round.

Lead Convenor Ankit Shah outlined the roadmap of HTF 4.0, explaining the structure and objectives of the hackathon. He emphasised that the platform enables participants to build innovative technological solutions to real-world challenges.

Industry leaders inspire participants

The inaugural ceremony was graced by Mr. Anand Fernandes, CEO of EG India, as the Chief Guest. Guests of Honour included Mr. Abhinandan Patil, Director – R&D, EG India, and Dr. Prakhyath Rai, Senior Manager – Data & AI, EG India. The event was presided over by Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of the Diocese of Mangalore and President of SJEC.

In his address, Mr. Anand Fernandes encouraged students to become job creators rather than job seekers. He stressed the importance of solving real-world problems and initiating meaningful projects rather than striving for perfection.

Mr. Abhinandan Patil appreciated the finalists for reaching the advanced stage of the competition and urged them to focus on converting ideas into practical solutions. Dr. Prakhyath Rai spoke about industry expectations, highlighting the growing demand for solution-oriented professionals capable of building impactful innovations.

Institutional leadership highlights significance

Other dignitaries present included Dr. Rio D’Souza, Principal of SJEC; Rev. Fr. Wilfred Prakash D’Souza, Director; and Rev. Fr. Kenneth Rayner Crasta, Assistant Director, along with faculty heads and event convenors.

Dr. Rio D’Souza spoke about the vision behind organising such hackathons and encouraged students to fully engage in the experience. He also expressed gratitude to EG India for its continued support in promoting innovation and industry collaboration.

Hackathon formally declared open

The ceremony featured the felicitation of the guests and the unveiling of the official logo of HTF 4.0. The hackathon was formally declared open, setting the stage for an intense and competitive 36-hour event.

In his presidential address, Bishop Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha emphasised the importance of anticipating challenges and working towards meaningful solutions. He encouraged participants to embrace the learning process and make the most of the opportunity.

Promoting innovation and collaboration

Hack to Future 4.0 continues SJEC’s tradition of promoting experiential learning and strengthening industry-academia collaboration. With strong backing from industry leaders, the hackathon serves as a platform for students to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

The organisers, Ms. Diana Monteiro and Dr. Shrisha H. S., expressed confidence that this edition would witness dynamic participation and generate impactful outcomes.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Priyal Saldanha, Lead Student Convenor, while Aroma Peris compered the event.