Tech Manthan 2026: A Confluence of Innovation, Academia and Industry at Sri Sri University

                                

Tech Manthan 2026 concluded successfully at Sri Sri University, Cuttack, Odisha, emerging as a major highlight of the University’s Foundation Day celebrations. The two-day event was organized by the School of AI & Data Science under the Faculty of Engineering & Technology (FET), in collaboration with the Festival of Inspiration. It served as a vibrant platform to promote innovation, creativity, and industry–academia collaboration, bringing together students, academicians, and industry professionals to celebrate technological thinking and future-ready skills in an engaging academic environment.

The inaugural session featured inspiring addresses by Prof. (Dr.) Rabinarayan Satapathy, Dean, Faculty of Engineering & Technology; Dr. Chinmay Kumar Nayak, Head, School of AI & Data Science; and Prof. (Dr.) Gopinath Pallai, Deputy Dean. The programme was graced by Mr. Debesh Dash from IBM as the Guest of Honour, whose presence strengthened the industry alignment of the event. A distinguished jury panel comprising IBM experts Jagabandhu Sahu, Madhusmita Padhiary, Saswat Das, Chaitanya Mallick, and Lagnajit Dash ensured a rigorous, practical, and industry-oriented evaluation of the student competitions.

Tech Manthan 2026 featured two major competitions, Ideathon and Poster Presentation, which showcased the innovative spirit and research capabilities of the participants. In the Ideathon, 33 teams presented creative technological solutions to contemporary challenges, while 23 teams participated in the Poster Presentation, demonstrating strong analytical and research skills. In the Ideathon category, The Syndicate secured the first position, followed by Trinetra AI as first runners-up and Vibe Coders as second runners-up. In the Poster Presentation category, The Cognitive Zenith emerged as the winner, with The Misfits and Byte Brains securing the first and second runners-up positions respectively.

The second day of the event featured expert talks by industry professionals Mr. Kharavel Parida from MRSTech Edge LLP and Mr. Trilochan Tarai, Founder of SilanPay and former professional with TCS and Majesco. Their sessions offered valuable insights into artificial intelligence, fintech transformation, entrepreneurship, and the evolving startup ecosystem, inspiring students to envision impactful careers at the intersection of technology, innovation, and society.

The prize distribution ceremony was held in the esteemed presence of Swami Satyachaitanya, Director Operations, Sri Sri University, and Prof. (Dr.) Rabinarayan Satapathy, during which the winners were felicitated and the efforts of all participants were widely appreciated. The programme concluded with vibrant cultural performances that reflected the holistic academic and cultural ethos of Sri Sri University. A heartfelt vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Chinmay Kumar Nayak, Head, School of AI & Data Science. The successful organization of Tech Manthan 2026 was made possible through the dedicated efforts of student volunteers and the guidance of Dr. Lalmohan Pattnaik and Dr. Satyajit Pattnaik, whose support played a pivotal role in making the event a memorable success.