In a significant move to foster innovation among young minds, the Odisha government has launched a state-level hackathon that promises to unlock the creative potential of thousands of students across the state.
Official Launch of Digital Platform
Niyati Pattnaik, the Director of Higher Secondary Education, officially inaugurated the dedicated website for the 'OdiaPreneur Smart Odisha Hackathon' on Saturday. This digital platform marks the beginning of an ambitious educational initiative designed to cultivate entrepreneurship and problem-solving skills among the youth.
The hackathon represents a powerful collaboration between three key organizations: the Directorate of Higher Secondary Education, the research and entrepreneurship wing of IIT Bhubaneswar, and Unicef. This tripartite partnership brings together academic excellence, governmental support, and international child development expertise.
Massive Student Participation Expected
Organizers anticipate overwhelming response with over 3,000 students from classes XI and XII expected to participate in this innovative competition. The participants will represent higher secondary schools and Odisha Adarsha Vidyalayas from across the entire state.
Through the newly launched portal, students can showcase their creative ideas and register their innovative concepts online. The platform also facilitates mentorship opportunities, allowing students to receive guidance from experienced mentors throughout their hackathon journey.
Real-World Learning Experience
Director Niyati Pattnaik emphasized that the program aims to achieve multiple educational objectives. "This initiative will not only encourage creativity among our students but will also provide them with valuable opportunities to interact directly with industry professionals and successful entrepreneurs," she stated.
This industry-academia interaction is expected to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, enabling students to learn from real-world experiences and understand contemporary market needs and challenges.
The hackathon is scheduled to take place during December and January, with competitions organized at three distinct levels: school, district, and state. This multi-tier approach ensures wide participation and gives students multiple platforms to demonstrate their innovative capabilities.
This groundbreaking initiative represents Odisha's commitment to nurturing young talent and preparing students for the challenges of the modern economy through hands-on learning and innovation-driven education.
