CHENNAI/SHIMLA: IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation recently organized an innovative hackathon, the 'IITM Pravartak Datathon 2023 Grand Challenge,' where students collaborated to develop cutting-edge solutions to real-world problems.

The event, which took place on August 13th and 14th in a hybrid mode, saw the participation of IIT Madras students from diverse engineering branches.

During the event, participants competed to address real-world challenges using emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, and Cybersecurity.

The hackathon, conducted by IIT Madras-incubated start-up GUVI, attracted the participation of pre-final year students who had undergone an optional virtual internship program between May and July 2023.

The training sessions, conducted by IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation and its skilling partners, included expert-led projects in relevant technologies.

The top five teams from the hackathon received prize money and certificates, fostering a competitive spirit among the participants.

Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, noted the increasing importance of data visualization and digital representation in various sectors.

He expressed interest in integrating similar competitions into the internship program in the future.

The event was organized by IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation, a Section 8 Company funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, and hosted by IIT Madras.

The hackathon highlighted the innovative solutions presented by IIT Madras students, who were mentored by industry experts.

The collaborative environment and teamwork-driven spirit were evident throughout the event.

Prof. Sathyan Subbiah and Prof. P. Murugavel, Advisors on Placements and Internships, emphasized the program's role in upskilling students for future endeavors.

IIT Madras continues to foster an entrepreneurial culture, supporting students to bridge the gap between academia and professional skills.