The grand finale of "Innovate Uttarakhand" Hackathon was a landmark event, showcasing the power of innovation, creativity, and technological advancements in school education. The event was graced by esteemed dignitaries, with Ranjana Raj Guru, IAS, Additional Secretary of School Education, as the Chief Guest, and Jharna Kamthan, IAS, Director General of School Education, as the Guest of Honour. They were warmly welcomed by Bandana Garbyal, Director of Academic Research and Training, Uttarakhand.
A Grand Welcome and Program Highlights
The event commenced with a formal welcome address by Director Bandana Garbyal, who also presented the program objectives and opening remarks. As a token of appreciation, mementos were presented to all distinguished guests by the Director and Additional Director Pradeep Rawat SCERT Uttarakhand.
R.P. Badoni, Program Coordinator, provided an insightful overview of the Hackathon event portal. He elaborated on its development, the inclusion of video tutorials, and an exclusive innovation and design thinking video series. The portal was developed and enriched with high-quality content resources from renowned content writers and technology-enabled educators at both national and international levels.
Jury and Selection Process
The jury panel, comprising eminent experts from IITs, NITs, and various technical institutes, played a crucial role in evaluating the innovative ideas submitted by teachers and students. The finalists, including the top 10-10 teachers and students, had the opportunity to present their groundbreaking ideas before an esteemed panel of judges, including Sugandha Sharma, Assistant Professor at UPES, and Dr. Moumita Ghosh from DIT University, Dehradun.
Encouragement from Leadership
Ranjana Raj Guru, IAS, appreciated the well-organized event and commended the efforts put into fostering innovation in government schools. She praised the initiative for encouraging AI-based solutions and welcomed the creative ideas presented by participants.
Jharna Kamthan, IAS, in her address, emphasized the need for innovation in education and the significance of digital transformation in schools. She highlighted the importance of empowering students and teachers with technology-driven solutions and commended SCERT Uttarakhand for launching such an impactful initiative.
The highlight of the event was the award ceremony, where Jharna Kamthan, IAS, along with Bandana Garbyal, felicitated the winners. Prizes were distributed among the top-performing students and teachers, acknowledging their dedication and innovative contributions to the field of education.
Appreciation for SCERT Uttarakhand and Director Garbyal
SCERT Uttarakhand was highly praised for initiating this innovative startup, which is paving the way for digital and AI-based learning solutions in government schools. The leadership and vision of Director Bandana Garbyal were recognized for making this event a grand success. Her commitment to fostering a culture of technology integration and creative problem-solving in education was applauded by all dignitaries.
Recognizing Success Stories in Schools and Teaching
The event also celebrated the Success Stories of Schools and Teachers, recognizing educators who have made a significant impact through their innovative teaching methods. Among the 14 shortlisted successful schools and teachers, Pramod Chamoli and his school GUP Kundiya and National Awardee Teacher Daulat Singh Gusain from Pauri Garhwal were selected for their exemplary contributions.
Empowering Girls and Women Through Technology
One of the key themes of the Hackathon was Women Empowerment and Girls' Inclusion in Technology, a message that resonated throughout the event. From the Chief Guest to the program anchors, women played leading roles in every segment of the event. Rakhi Pandey, Faculty from DIET Dehradun, and Anugya Painuly from SCERT Uttarakhand, served as the event anchors, showcasing the dynamic participation of women in education and leadership roles. The event underscored how technology and innovation can act as powerful tools for empowering women and young girls, enabling them to become leaders in the digital era.
Moderating the Feedback Session
The event concluded with an engaging Feedback Session, moderated by Dr. K.N. Bijalwan, Assistant Director, SCERT. Participants, jury members, and educators shared their experiences and insights, further enriching the learning process and setting a roadmap for future editions of the Hackathon.
Winners of the hackathon-Results:
The "Innovate Uttarakhand" Hackathon was not just a competition but a movement towards a more technologically advanced and innovative educational ecosystem in Uttarakhand. The event successfully provided a platform for students and teachers to present their ideas, collaborate with experts, and receive valuable guidance from leading academicians and policymakers.
With its strong emphasis on technological integration, innovation, and women empowerment, this Hackathon stands as a testament to the bright future of education in Uttarakhand. As the event came to a close, the enthusiasm and inspiration it generated promised a ripple effect, encouraging more educators and students to embrace innovation, digital learning, and AI-driven solutions for a transformative educational experience.