A Two-Day Extravaganza of Innovation
Sri Manakula Vinayagar Engineering College (SMVEC) recently organized Innovators Day, a two-day celebration dedicated to creativity, problem-solving, and futuristic ideas. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from colleg-e students, school students, and innovators from outside institutions, making it a truly collaborative platform.
Mega Project Contest – Inspiring Young Innovators
The first day of Innovators Day 2025 at Sri Manakula Vinayagar Engineering College began with the Mega Project Contest, an exciting platform for school and college students to showcase their creativity and problem-solving skills.
Inauguration of the Contest
The contest was formally inaugurated by Dr. V.S.K. Venkatachalapathy, Director cum Principal of SMVEC, who encouraged the participants to think innovatively and pursue their ideas with confidence.
Participation from Various Schools
Students from different schools across the region actively took part in the contest, bringing with them a wide range of innovative projects. Their exhibits reflected originality, curiosity, and a strong zeal to solve real-world challenges.
Project Showcase & Interaction
Participants proudly demonstrated their projects in front of a large audience. The atmosphere was vibrant as Mr. S. Velayudham, Joint Secretary of SMVET, the Chief Guest, faculty members, and staff visited each exhibit.
The students enthusiastically explained their concepts and ideas to the dignitaries, who appreciated their effort, creativity, and clarity in presentation. This interaction not only boosted the participants’ confidence but also highlighted the potential of young minds in driving innovation.
The winners were honoured with cash awards and certificates, recognizing their hard work and talent. This gesture not only celebrated their achievement but also encouraged young minds to continue exploring and innovating with confidence.
Day 2 – Mega Project Contest Showcases College Innovations
The second day of Innovators Day 2025 at Sri Manakula Vinayagar Engineering College was marked by the Mega Project Contest for college students, featuring groundbreaking ideas in both hardware and software domains.
Dual Categories of Participation
This contest was structured into two major sections:
- Hardware Projects
where participants presented working models, devices, and engineering prototypes.
- Software Projects
where students developed applications, programs, and digital solutions to real-world problems. The dual format provided a platform for students to explore both tangible innovations and tech-driven problem-solving.
Dignitary Interaction
Adding prestige to the event, Shri. D. Rajarajan, Treasurer of SMVET, visited the project showcase. He carefully observed the exhibits, interacted with the participants, and appreciated their dedication and innovative spirit. His presence motivated students to think beyond academics and pursue innovation as a passion.
Evaluation & Selection of Top Projects
After an intense round of presentations, the judges evaluated projects from both schools (Day 1) and colleges (Day 2). The evaluation was based on innovation, practicality, and clarity of presentation.
Finally, the Top 3 Projects were selected from across:
- College Hardware Projects
- College Software Projects
The recognition not only celebrated the winners but also encouraged every participant to refine their ideas further.
24 Hours Hackathon Challenge – A Test of Skill, Speed & Innovation
As part of Innovators Day 2025, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Engineering College hosted an intense 24 Hours Hackathon Challenge. The event pushed participants to work non-stop for a full day, turning their ideas into impactful solutions under time-bound pressure.
Dual Sections of Participation
The Hackathon was divided into two categories, giving equal scope for different kinds of innovation:
- Hardware Projects
Teams developed working models, prototypes, and devices to address real- world challenges.
- Software Projects
Participants built apps, programs, and digital solutions showcasing their coding, design, and problem-solving expertise.This dual structure allowed students to explore diverse approaches, from building tangible devices to creating virtual solutions.
A Platform for Future Innovators
By the end of the marathon challenge, students presented their solutions to a panel of judges. Their energy, passion, and problem-solving mindset proved that young innovators can rise to any challenge when given the right platform.
The 24 Hours Hackathon Challenge stood out as one of the most exciting events of Innovators Day 2025, inspiring participants to push their limits and reinforcing SMVEC’s commitment to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship among students.
Valedictory Ceremony – Innovators Day 2025
Welcome Address
The ceremony began with a Welcome Address delivered by Dr. S. Anbumalar, Dean of Academics, who highlighted the importance of fostering innovation among students and appreciated the enthusiastic participation from both schools and colleges.
Honouring
Brief report about Innovators Day
Brief report about Innovators Day was delivered by Dr.K.Velmurugan, Dean Research. In his report He highlighted that the objective of Innovators Day is to bring out the creative ideas of budding engineers while creating awareness about fast-emerging technologies and their industrial applications. he emphasized that the project competitions and hackathon protocols were designed to nurture a research-oriented attitude, motivate students to work on multidisciplinary projects, and encourage solutions that are practical and socially relevant. Conducted over two days—Day One for Trust College students and schools, and Day Two for participants from other colleges—the contests were broadly categorized into hardware and software domains and evaluated by district and industry experts. The best entries in each category were honoured with awards and prizes worth over one lakh rupees, along with certificates of merit. The speakers concluded by stating that Innovators Day not only celebrates the spirit of engineering excellence but also provides a platform to showcase the talent and creativity of young minds.
Presidential Address:
The Presidential Address was delivered by Shri. D. Rajarajan Treasurer of SMVET, He started his address with warm welcome to all participants and appreciated the projects showcased in both hardware and software categories, noting their focus on real-world problems. He advised students to build innovations on existing platforms and infrastructures rather than starting from scratch, citing examples such as marketplaces like Amazon, robotics platforms, and sustainable solutions.
Highlighting true innovation, he shared inspiring examples including Vinisha Umashankar’s portable solar iron for ironworkers and a clay-based refrigerator for villages, emphasizing that innovation is about curiosity, problem-solving, and sustainability rather than mere resources or money. He encouraged students to identify day-to-day challenges, think differently, and create solutions that are practical, scalable, and socially relevant, echoing the vision of Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam that innovation is an attitude and a mindset, urging young minds to pursue the unexplored and confront real-world problems with courage and creativity.
Chief Guest Address
he chief guest address was delivered by Shri M. Nadarajan, MD Bergamont Hotels & Vice Chairman, CII Puducherry. He addressed the participants on the rapid generational changes, highlighting the emergence of Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and Gen G, and emphasized the importance of having a clear vision, curiosity, and problem-solving mindset. He encouraged students to identify opportunities in every challenge, citing examples of innovative and sustainable solutions such as solar-powered projects, water-saving technologies, and low-cost refrigeration systems. Stressing the value of practical learning, entrepreneurship, and ethical responsibility, he urged students to focus on personal growth, contribute to society, and prioritize the next generation, the nation, and their family.
He concluded by quoting the Bhagavad Gita, inspiring students to lift themselves by themselves, take ownership of their learning and actions, and become responsible, innovative, and self-reliant individuals.
Prize Distribution
The prize distribution ceremony marked the culmination of Innovators Day 2025, celebrating the remarkable achievements of students across various competitions. Top projects and hackathon winners from both hardware and software categories were recognized with cash prizes and certificates, acknowledging their creativity, technical skills, and practical solutions. The awards not only honored the winners but also motivated all participants to continue pursuing innovation, research, and excellence, reinforcing SMVEC’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of engineers and problem-solvers.
Vote of Thanks – Concluding Innovators Day 2025
The event concluded with the Vote of Thanks delivered by Dr. J. Madhusudhanan, HoD of AI & DS, who expressed gratitude to all the participants, dignitaries, faculty members, and staff for making Innovators Day 2025 a grand success. He appreciated the efforts of students in showcasing their innovative projects and highlighted the role of such events in encouraging creativity, research, and collaboration among young minds.
