Hackfest 2024, a hallmark event in the technology and innovation landscape, spanned from March to July, involving a series of rounds that saw a record-breaking participation of 12,500 students from 110 universities spread across 10 Indian states. Proudly sponsored by SAP and hosted by PSG Institute of Technology and Applied Research, this year’s Hackfest aligned its themes – “Green Credit Management,” “Crowd-Sourced Disaster Management,” and “Hacking Solutions for Renewable Energy” – with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) of 2023.
Dr. Saravana Kumar, Principal of PSG Institute of Technology, emphasized the educational aspect: “Students and faculty learn about the latest technology and expand their skills to apply them in the industry in a valuable manner.” To apply the skills, Ferose VR, Head of the SAP Academy for Engineering, underscores a crucial philosophy in technological development: “Always measure the success of the product in terms of its impact on people’s lives.”
This forward-thinking mindset undermines how SAP wants to set-up the next generation for success, not just with tech skills but also with the ability to apply these skills practically to solve real-world problems. As the pace of technological advancements, such as Generative AI, accelerates, we must measure value not merely by technological milestones but by the effectiveness in solving problems and improving lives.
Innovation through an Academia-Industry Network
SAP’s sponsorship provided participants with the unique opportunity to connect with industry experts, mentors, and judges who offered critical insights and feedback. The hackathon demonstrated robust collaboration among 25 regional college partners and the SAP partners, Altrocks, ROX, Navadhiti Business Consulting Services, Greentick, and Nallas.
Vijay R, Director of Altrocks, praised: “SAP is architecting the architects. For which we are really thankful. As jury members, we get to know the ideas that the students can bring to the market.” This networking was pivotal in developing ideas that are not only technologically feasible but also commercially viable.
Sindhu Gangadharan, Managing Director of SAP Labs India shared how valuable the student’s innovative ideas are: “The top teams for this year’s hackathon have been very carefully selected and are of immense significance for industry and SAP. You’re not just engineers, you are the architects of the future.”
Celebrating Impact
The finale of Hackfest 2024 was a thrilling competition among 93 teams evaluated by a panel of 30 experts. The top 10 teams underwent further scrutiny by the Hackfest Core Team, ultimately determining the final top three winners. Teams from Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Rajalakshmi Engineering College, and Chandigarh Engineering College – CGC, Landran, Mohali, were celebrated for their innovative and impactful solutions. A green survey tool using AI for Green Credit Management won first place. The 2nd prize was awarded to crowdsourced disaster management using a LoRA network, followed by a smart robotic arm using AI and image recognition for rescue management in the 3rd place.
Students reflected on their transformative experiences: “We worked for more than just an idea for any business or start-up. We worked for the environment,” while another remarked, “It was not easy, but we pushed through. We all worked together to make this success happen.”
Dr. Mohan Ram, Secretary, PSG Institute of Technology, shared that every student gains something from the event: “Every moment of this hackathon offered an opportunity to learn. This is a powerful mantra that our students will also take with them after the event to apply for other situations in life.”
Looking Forward: Hackfest 2025
Hackfest 2024 was already a huge success, and SAP and PSG iTech are incredibly grateful for the support of many volunteers. The event’s success was only possible due to the dedication of 1,250 student volunteers, 375 faculty volunteers, 550 jury members, and 30 SAP experts.
Karina Edmonds, Global Head of SAP Academies and University Alliances, shared her excitement: “I am super impressed with the growth of Hackfest 2024. In just over three years, we have grown a student community to 12,500 students. I look forward to growing this community in the coming years with the support of PSG iTech, our academic partners, and SAP customers who have been so invested in seeing this community grow.”
SAP and PSG iTech are committed to even greater achievements. Since its inception in 2022, with 600 participants, Hackfest has aimed to become the largest hackathon in the country by 2025. The emphasis remains on integrating young innovators into the SAP ecosystem, ensuring they continue to lead with humanity, not just technology.
