KL Deemed to be University Concludes Major Tech Hackathon with Massive Student Turnout
The final segment of the third installment of the project-based hackathon "Skill Palaver" successfully wrapped up at KL Deemed to be University in Vijayawada. The event, designated as Slot 2, ran from February 28 to March 1, 2026, attracting a substantial crowd of tech enthusiasts from across various academic disciplines.
Record Participation Across Diverse Engineering Fields
Organizers reported an impressive total of 5,546 students who actively participated in the hackathon. The participants hailed from a wide array of study areas, including Computer Science and Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, Computer Science and Information Technology, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Internet of Things (IoT), Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA), and Master of Computer Applications (MCA).
The hackathon featured an extensive range of technological domains, providing students with opportunities to showcase their skills in Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, IoT, Blockchain, 5G Technology, VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration), Embedded Systems, Software Engineering, Structural Engineering, and Game Design.
AI and Cybersecurity Challenges Dominate Student Interest
Among the various competitions, the AI and Machine Learning Challenge emerged as the most popular, drawing 852 students to test their capabilities in cutting-edge artificial intelligence applications. Close behind, the Cybersecurity and Ethical Hacking event attracted 659 participants, highlighting the growing importance of digital security in today's tech landscape.
The GEN-AI Hack competition saw 606 students competing to demonstrate their proficiency in generative artificial intelligence technologies. Additional events that enriched the hackathon experience included:
- Cloud Challenge
- Data-Driven Emotion Hack
- NLP Innovators Hack
- IoT Fusion Hackathon
Industry Giants Provide Mentorship and Evaluation
The program benefited significantly from the involvement of industry representatives from leading global and domestic companies. Professionals from organizations including Ford, IBM, Cisco, Flipkart, Tata Elxsi, KPIT Technologies, and Synopsys contributed their expertise by mentoring participants and evaluating projects throughout different stages of the hackathon.
This industry-academia collaboration provided students with valuable real-world insights and networking opportunities that could prove instrumental in their future careers.
High Marks for Industry Readiness and AI Competency
According to university officials, expert feedback indicated that approximately 70% of participating students demonstrated readiness for industry roles in emerging technologies. Furthermore, about 60% of participants showed notable competency in artificial intelligence-related skills, reflecting the strong emphasis on AI education in contemporary technical curricula.
The Skill Palaver hackathon represents a significant initiative in bridging the gap between academic learning and practical industry requirements, particularly in fast-evolving technological fields that are reshaping global economies and workforces.
