Media Release
Puttur, Sep 15: The Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) and the Department of Computer Science at St Philomena College inaugurated an internal hackathon aimed at preparing students for participation in the prestigious Smart India Hackathon. The event commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and was presided over by the principal of the college, Dr Antony Prakash Monteiro.
In his address, Dr Monteiro emphasized the importance of healthy competition, stating, “If you compete with others, feelings of hatred and jealousy may arise. But if students compete with their abilities, better outcomes are sure to follow. Our innovations should be used for constructive activities, as these can drive societal change and contribute to the nation’s development.”
Glenson Tony, assistant professor from the Department of Electronics and Communication at St Joseph’s College of Engineering, and coordinator of the Training and Placement Cell, inaugurated the event. He lauded the efforts behind the Smart India Hackathon, remarking, “Many talented individuals educated in India often seek opportunities abroad. To counter this talent flight, the government has initiated programmes like Make in India and Startup India. These competitions, like the hackathon, foster innovation and encourage talent to stay within the country.”
Pranitha K N, an alumna of St Philomena College and currently a senior product security specialist at SAP Labs, Bengaluru, graced the event as the guest of honour. She commended the organizers for their dedication and shared words of encouragement with the participating students.
Abhishek Suvarna, IIC coordinator and assistant professor in the department of business administration, highlighted the significance of the hackathon for the college: “This event encourages a creative and problem-solving mind-set among students, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application. It is a milestone for our institution, showcasing our commitment to innovation.”
Surabhi and team rendered the prayer. An introductory remark was extended by Geetha Poornima K, president of college IIC. Vinayachandra, dean and head of the department of computer science, delivered the vote of thanks and assistant professor Suraksha N compered the event.
The hackathon saw active participation from members of the IIC, the Parent-Teachers Association, and the Old Student Association, whose cooperation contributed to the success of the programme.