The Department of Information Technology at Vivekanand Education Society’s Institute of Technology (VESIT), Mumbai, this week organized its first-ever two-day offline hackathon, ‘Genesis 2026’ marking a significant milestone in experiential and innovation-driven learning. Centered on the theme, “Building Intelligent, Sustainable, and Decentralised Solutions for the Future,” the hackathon brought together students across all departments and academic years.
The competition was divided into three tracks: Track 1 – Sustainability (focused on Solid Waste Management), Track 2 – Artificial Intelligence, and Track 3 – Blockchain. Tracks 1 and 2 each carried a prize pool of ₹25,000, with ₹12,000 awarded to the first prize winner, ₹8,000 to the second prize winner, and ₹5,000 to the third prize winner. The Blockchain track recognized four winners, each receiving 100 USDC as part of the crypto-based rewards initiative.
A key highlight of the event was the collaboration with the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) under Project Swechchha. This partnership enabled students to work on real-world civic problem statements, reinforcing the role of technology in urban sustainability and social responsibility. The initiative was coordinated by Dr. Shanta Sondur, the project Swechchha Coordinator.
A total of approximately 552 entries were recorded, reflecting strong interdisciplinary participation and a culture of problem-solving across diverse technological domains. The hackathon was conducted under the guidance of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) in association with the Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) through the QuestIT platform of the Department of Information Technology. The dedicated Blockchain track, featuring crypto-based USDC rewards, provided participants with exposure to decentralised technologies and digital ecosystems. Simultaneously, the AI and Sustainability tracks emphasized deployable, real-world solutions addressing pressing civic and environmental challenges.
The event was conducted under the leadership of Dr. Jayalakshmi Nair, Principal, VESIT, and guided by Shri Manoj Sabnis, Head of the Department of Information Technology. Coordination was led by Mrs. Charusheela Nehete and Mrs. Kajal Jewani (OuestIT in-charge), with significant contributions from Mr. Varun Rahatgaokar, Mr. Anish Tawade (Council Member, QuestIT), faculty mentors, and student volunteers. Chief Guest Mrs. Vidya M. Swami shared insights on innovation and learner-centric education, while sponsorship support from Shri Rakesh Kumar of Star Union Dai-ichi Life Insurance Co. strengthened industry–academia collaboration. This partnership enabled students to work on real-world civic problem statements related to urban waste management, reinforcing the role of technology in advancing sustainability and social responsibility
Speaking on the objectives of the event, Dr. Jayalakshmi Nair, Principal, VESIT, said: “This year’s hackathon reflects our commitment to moving learning beyond classrooms into real-world problem solving. As our first offline edition, it brought students together to collaborate intensively on emerging domains like Solid Waste Management, Blockchain, and AI, developing deployable solutions under industry-like conditions. By integrating interdisciplinary teamwork, hands-on innovation, and strong industry engagement, we aim to bridge the gap between theory and practice while nurturing socially responsible technologists.”
