Manipal, 27^th August 2022: The MAHE-Dedalus Mental Health Hackathon- 2022 was formally inaugurated on 26^th August 2022 by Lt. General (Dr) M.D. Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), and Mr. Frans Martens, Global Business Unit Head, Hospital Information System, Dedalus.

Chief Guest of the function Lt. Gen. (Dr) M.D. Venkatesh said, “I am extremely happy to be inaugurating this Mental Health Hackathon and appreciated Dedalus team for the support and involvement in organizing this Hackathon”. Mr. Frans Martens said, “MAHE and Dedalus engagement may benefit the healthcare filed in terms of development of novel and affordable products or services”. Manipal College of Health Professions (MCHP) organized the Hackathon on behalf of MAHE at the Sharada Hall, MCHP and it is the first of its kind in health science.

More than 80 students from more than 25 teams registered from the constituent units of MAHE, 10 teams were qualified for the final round through a selection process. The qualified teams were mentored jointly by the team of professionals from Dedalus and MAHE on the first day of the hackathon. All ten teams presented their innovation to a team jury and among them, three teams were selected. The Mental Health Hackathon focuses on driving awareness about Mental health, including emotional, psychological, and social well-being. This event empowered MAHE students who are interested in health care innovation to develop ingenious solutions to ‘Mental Health Care.

A Valedictory function was organized on 27^th August. Dr. Narayana Sabhahit, Registrar, MAHE was the Chief Guest and Mr. Steven Parrish, Chief Medical Information Officer, APAC region, Dedalus, was the Guest of honour. Certificates and the prize money of INR 40000 (1^st prize), 20000 (2^nd prize) and 8000 (3^rd prize), 5000 (consolation prize) were awarded to the winning teams. 

MAHE team members Dr. Arun G Maiya, Dean, MCHP, welcome the gathering Dr. Raviraja N S Director of Corporate Relations, highlighted the objectives of the event.

Dr Venkatraya Aithal, Dr. Reshmi, MAHE officials, and others; Dedalus team members Ms. Romilla Kulshrestha, Mr. Jegatheswaran Ponnudurai & Team, were actively involved in overseeing the smooth conduct of the event.

A team of eight members of Dedalus travelled from various destinations like the Netherlands, Australia, Malaysia, and different locations in India to take part in the event. MAHE and Dedalus are keen on taking forward this collaboration with many more engagements in the future.