Dewang Mehta IT Awards 2024 and Maverick Effect AI Challenge 2024

Newz Daddy Technology Updates

Synopsis of the Article:

• In honour of the legacy of IT pioneer Dewang Mehta, the Maverick Effect AI Challenge 2024 and the Dewang Mehta IT Awards 2024 were recently conducted in Ahmedabad.
• Many engineering institutes in Gujarat participated in the event, which was hosted by the Dewang Mehta Foundation Trust, Gujarat Technological University (GTU), and NASSCOM.
• The Dewang Mehta IT Awards received over 170 projects from 59 colleges; 15 finalists presented their inventions in Ahmedabad.
• An AI-based hexa-wheel Robot, a Smart Irrigation System, and a Refreshable Braille Display were the three winning teams recognized for their ideas.
• More than 120 teams participated in the Maverick Effect AI Challenge, which was also conducted in conjunction with the awards. The winners took home hefty prize money.
• The event also recognized 1,004 toppers from 73 engineering colleges in Gujarat.
• Special guests included industry leaders who delivered keynote speeches, with a special lecture by Mr. Rajesh Nambiar.
• The Gujarati version of Mr. Harish Mehta’s book, The Maverick Effect, was also launched during the event.
• 1,004 top performers from 73 Gujarati engineering colleges were also honoured during the ceremony.
  Leading figures in the industry gave keynote addresses as special guests, and Mr. Rajesh Nambiar gave a unique lecture.
• During the occasion, Mr. Harish Mehta’s book The Maverick Effect was also released in Gujarati.

Honouring an IT Pioneer: Maverick Effect AI Challenge and Dewang Mehta IT Awards 2024

The Maverick Effect AI Challenge 2024 and the Dewang Mehta IT Awards 2024, which were held recently in Ahmedabad, represent a significant advancement in identifying and developing future technological potential. In honour of Dewang Mehta, a trailblazer in the Indian IT sector, the Dewang Mehta Foundation Trust, Gujarat Technological University (GTU), and NASSCOM collaborate to organize this yearly event. The 12th edition of the event this year attracted an impressive number of participants and demonstrated the inventiveness and ingenuity of students from all over Gujarat.

Honouring the Legacy of Dewang Mehta

Dewang Mehta, who is recognized as one of the primary designers of India’s IT revolution, made a lasting impact on the sector. India is now recognized as a global leader in IT services because to his vision and leadership at NASSCOM. In recognition of his efforts and to encourage upcoming generations to follow in his footsteps, the Dewang Mehta IT Awards were instituted. Every year, on the anniversary of his birth, aspiring engineers can showcase their abilities and creative ideas on this esteemed platform.

Honouring IT Innovation

This year, 170 projects representing 59 colleges and institutes in Gujarat submitted entries for the Dewang Mehta IT Awards 2024. There was intense competition, with initiatives from the IT, computer science, electronics, and communications domains.

The judges selected fifteen of the best ideas to move on to the final round when students were asked to give in-person presentations of their work at the Pandit Dindayal Upadhyay Auditorium in Ahmedabad.

AI Challange Winners

Despite the challenging nature of the challenge, three teams with creative solutions that had practical applications prevailed:

• First Place: The A.D. Patel Institute of Technology, Anand team took first place with their project, “Refreshable Braille Display Vizion.” The goal of this project is to develop a portable, affordable device that will enable people with visual impairments to read digital content in Braille, increasing the accessibility of technology.
• Second Place: went to the Government Engineering College, Valsad students, who won over the jury with their “Digital Platform for Smart Irrigation System.”
• In a water-scarce location like Gujarat, their project addresses a fundamental need by providing a method to optimize water utilization in agriculture.
• Third Place: Went to the Atmiya University team from Rajkot, with their project titled “VU2 – AI Based Hexa-Wheel Robot.” This AI-powered robot is intended for a variety of uses, such as industrial automation and disaster management.

In contrast to conventional contests, when the top three teams are awarded gold, silver, and bronze, the Dewang Mehta IT Awards gave each team equal recognition. A prize of Rs. 1 lakh was given to each team in recognition of their inventiveness and capacity for big impact.

The Maverick Effect AI Challenge is now open.

This year’s event included the Maverick Effect AI Challenge 2024 in addition to the IT Awards. It was organized by the Dewang Mehta Foundation Trust and GTU in collaboration with Shri Harish Mehta. With an emphasis on the quickly expanding subject of artificial intelligence (AI), this challenge gave students the opportunity to apply creative AI solutions to solve real-world issues.

AI Challenge Recipients

More than 120 teams took part in the Maverick Effect AI Challenge, and students submitted their ideas online. The panel invited the teams whose 19 concepts made the shortlist for the second round to Ahmedabad for the final presentations. The triumphant were:

• First Place: For their project on “Environmental Monitoring and Conservation,” the UIT team from Karnavati University in Gandhinagar took first place.  With the increasing emphasis on sustainability worldwide, their solution—which uses AI to track environmental changes and recommend conservation measures—comes at an opportune moment.
• Second Place: Using their AI solution, the LJIET, Ahmedabad team also addressed the “Environmental Monitoring and Conservation” task, earning the first runner-up spot.
• Third Place: Chandubhai S. Patel Institute of Technology, Anand students, who specialized on “Healthcare Optimization.” Their study offers a solution that could improve resource management and patient care by utilizing AI to improve healthcare services.

The top two teams took home prizes of Rs. 90,000 and Rs. 80,000, respectively, while the victorious team took home a grand prize of Rs. 1 lakh. These sizeable awards are a testament to the event’s dedication to developing talent in this vital field as well as the significance of AI in influencing the future.

Acknowledging Academic Prominence

In addition to the challenges and rewards, the occasion honoured Gujarati engineering students for their outstanding academic performance. 1,004 top students from 73 engineering institutions in the state, particularly from the fields of information technology, computer science, electronics, and communications, received special attention. Chief Guest, Mr. Rajesh Nambiar, Chairman and Managing Director of Cognizant India and the Chairperson of NASSCOM, presented a Certificate of Appreciation to each topper on stage.

Launch of the Book and Keynote Address

Mr. Rajesh Nambiar gave the Devang Mehta Memorial Lecture during the occasion, sharing his perspective on the changing IT landscape and the significance of keeping up with technology changes.

The youthful crowd, many of whom are positioned to lead the IT industry in the future, found resonance in his lecture.

The debut of the Gujarati edition of Mr. Harish Mehta’s best-selling book, The Maverick Effect, increased the day’s significance. Anyone who wants to know what factors led to India becoming a tech superpower should read this book, which details the development of the country’s IT sector and the function of NASSCOM.

A Stage for Up-and-Coming Leaders

More than just contests, the Maverick Effect AI Challenge and the Dewang Mehta IT Awards provide as forums for young engineers to showcase their creativity, problem-solving skills, and leadership. The projects this year demonstrated Gujarat’s kids’ enormous ability to use technology to address global issues.

These young innovators are paving the way for a better future with projects that include developing technologies that are accessible to the blind and visually handicapped, optimizing water use in agriculture, and using AI to provide solutions for the environment and healthcare.

Gazing Forward

Events such as the Maverick Effect AI Challenge and the Dewang Mehta IT Awards are essential for spotting and developing the talent that will propel the technology industry forward as it continues to advance. By paying tribute to Dewang Mehta’s legacy, the occasion encourages students to push the boundaries of what’s feasible and guarantees Gujarat’s continued leadership in India’s technical innovation.

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