Medico-Engino Hackathon 2025 held at Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal

Manipal, 11 March 2025: The Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), MAHE, Manipal, proudly hosted the Medico-Engino Hackathon 2025. This hackathon was organised by the Dept. of Mechatronics, MIT, Manipal, Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS), Manipal, and Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, in collaboration with Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University (WPU), Pune, Maharashtra, and La Foundation Dassault Systems, India. 

The hackathon aimed to address the technical gaps and shortcomings in the equipment and methods used by professionals in the dental sciences. Participants included students from MCODS as well as students from MIT Manipal with various engineering backgrounds. A total of 34 students (18 from MCODS and 16 from MIT, Manipal) participated in the event. The event comprised the inaugural session, the main event, and the valedictory session.

The inaugural event was graced by the presence of the chief guest, Dr. Joseph Thomas, Professor and Head, Department of Plastic Surgery and Chairman of the Innovation and IPR Vertical at KMC Manipal. The guests of honour included Dr. Zuber Mohammed, Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) at Manipal Academy of Higher Education and Professor in the Department of Aeronautical & Automobile Engineering; Dr. Sanjay N. Havaldar, Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at MIT-WPU, Pune; and Dr. Anil Mashalkar, Assistant Professor at MIT-WPU, Pune. Dr. Dattaguru V. Kamath, Professor and Head of Mechatronics, delivered a warm welcome address to commence the hackathon. The Medico-Engino Hackathon 2025 was formally inaugurated by Dr. Joseph Thomas, who also addressed the gathering, highlighting the importance of defining proper problem statements in addition to the solutions. He encouraged the participants to take forward the findings of the hackathon.

The main event began with the formation of student groups, followed by the dental students defining problem statements. This was followed by group members discussing and finding solutions for the problems faced by dentists. Each group had 2 students from dental sciences and 2 or 3 students from an engineering background. The student groups were guided through the hackathon by the faculty mentors from MIT, MCODS, and MIT WPU. Based on the design solutions proposed and their presentation in front of eminent juries from engineering and medical backgrounds, the best teams were announced. The student group that proposed the innovative design of a 3D-printed safety holder to minimise the risks due to needle prick injuries was awarded the first prize.

The program concluded the valedictory ceremony with Dr. Narayana Sabhahit, Pro Vice Chancellor Technology and Science, MAHE, Manipal presiding as the chief guest who addressed the gathering, proposed the medical and engineering scholars to address the techno-societal problems faced in rural areas. Dr. (Cdr) Anil Rana, Director, MIT, Manipal, emphasised the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in solving technical problems faced by clinicians.  Dr. Ganesh Kakandikar, Associate Dean, MIT-WPU, Dr. Monica Solomon, Dean MCODS, Manipal and Dr. Shivprakash Barve, Program Director, Mech. Eng., MIT-WPU were the guests of honour for the valedictory event.

The coordinators of the Medico-Engino Hackathon, Dr. Prajwal Shenoy, Mr. D.A.P. Prabhakar, Dr. Karthik Rao M., and Dr. Jibitesh Kumar Panda from the Department of Mechatronics, MIT, Manipal, and Dr. Shruthi Acharya and Dr. Komal Smriti from MCODS, Manipal, have ensured the smooth execution and success of the program.