Events

PSOCSE Announces the Inaugural Function of SheLeads 2.0

March, 2026

;

24-Hour National Level Women-Centric Hackathon

DATE: 05-03-2026 and 06-03-2026
TIME: 09:30 AM (5th March 2026) – 4:00 PM (6th March 2026)
MODE OF EVENT: OFFLINE
EVENT VENUE: UNIVERSITY AUDITORIUM, E-BLOCK 4th Floor, PRESIDENCY UNIVERSITY, BENGALURU

1. SUMMARY ABOUT THE EVENT

SheLeads 2.0 - Innovate. Empower. Lead., was a 24-hour National Level Women-Centric Hackathon organized by the School of Computer Science and Engineering, Presidency University, in association with the HARVEST Club. The event aimed to create a powerful platform for women innovators, developers, and entrepreneurs to showcase their technical capabilities and leadership skills while building impactful technological solutions.

The hackathon attracted enthusiastic participation from students across multiple universities and institutions. After a competitive screening process, 50 teams were shortlisted and invited to participate in the final 24-hour hackathon at Presidency University, where they collaborated to develop innovative solutions addressing real-world challenges.

The event commenced with a grand inauguration ceremony in the University Auditorium, attended by esteemed dignitaries and academic leaders.

The ceremony was graced by:

Dr. Nissar Ahmed, Chancellor, Presidency University
Dr. Nafeesa Ahmed, Vice Chairperson, Presidency University

Their presence added immense inspiration and encouragement to the participants, especially the young women innovators who were taking part in the hackathon.

The inaugural ceremony began with a warm welcome address highlighting the significance of empowering women through innovation and leadership. The dignitaries emphasized the importance of women participation in technology, entrepreneurship, and research, encouraging students to pursue bold ideas and contribute to solving global challenges.

As part of the inauguration ceremony, a special tribute was presented to the dignitaries. A custom Rubik’s Cube Mosaic Portrait featuring the Chancellor and Vice Chairperson was unveiled and presented. This unique artwork was designed and assembled by a talented student of the university, symbolizing creativity, innovation, leadership, and problem-solving - the core values of SheLeads 2.0. The gesture highlighted the university’s commitment to nurturing student talent and experiential learning.

The event was further enriched by the inspiring presence and guidance of the university leadership:

Dr. Thiruvengadam S. J., Vice-Chancellor
Dr. Sivaperumal S., Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academics) & Director – International Research
Dr. Sameena Noor Ahmed Panali, Registrar

Their words of encouragement motivated participants to leverage technology for meaningful societal impact.

Following the inauguration, participants moved to the designated hackathon spaces where the 24-hour innovation marathon officially began. Teams worked tirelessly through the night, brainstorming ideas, coding prototypes, and preparing impactful solutions.

The hackathon fostered an atmosphere of collaboration, creativity, and determination, with participants demonstrating remarkable enthusiasm and commitment throughout the event.

Valedictory Ceremony & Winners

The Valedictory Ceremony of SheLeads 2.0 marked the successful culmination of an inspiring 24-hour journey of innovation, collaboration, and learning.

During the final round, shortlisted teams presented their innovative solutions before the evaluation panel. The projects showcased creative applications of emerging technologies addressing real-world problems across multiple domains.

The jury members evaluated the teams based on:

Innovation and originality
Technical implementation
Practical applicability
Presentation and scalability

After careful evaluation, the winning teams of SheLeads 2.0 were announced and felicitated by the dignitaries.

1st Prize – (Hacksters - Presidency University)
2nd Prize – (Diversity and Inclusion - Shiv Nadar University, Anna University, SRM IST KTR)
3rd Prize – (SheServe - SRM University, Tiruchirappalli)

The winners were awarded certificates and cash prizes in recognition of their outstanding innovation and teamwork.

The ceremony concluded with congratulatory remarks appreciating all participants for their dedication and perseverance throughout the hackathon.

2. EVENT OBJECTIVES

The primary objectives of SheLeads 2.0 were:

• Empowering Women in Technology: Encourage female students to actively participate in innovation and technical problem-solving.

• Promoting Innovation: Provide a platform for students to design creative technological solutions addressing real-world challenges.

• Skill Development: Enable participants to gain hands-on experience in ideation, development, and pitching within a limited time frame.

• Encouraging Leadership: Foster leadership, teamwork, and collaboration among women innovators.

• Industry Exposure: Provide students with opportunities to interact with mentors, faculty members, and experts.

• Building Confidence: Inspire women to pursue careers in technology, entrepreneurship, and research.

3. TRACKS OF THE EVENT

The hackathon encouraged participants to work on innovative ideas across diverse technology domains such as:

• Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
• Cybersecurity
• Healthcare Technology
• Sustainable Development & Smart Cities
• Social Innovation & Women Empowerment Solutions

Participants were encouraged to develop practical, scalable solutions addressing societal and technological challenges.

4. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS AND IMPACT

1. Empowering Women Innovators

SheLeads 2.0 successfully created a platform that celebrated the talent, creativity, and leadership of women in technology.

2. Innovation and Creativity

Participants developed numerous innovative prototypes addressing real-world challenges across domains such as healthcare, AI, sustainability, and social impact.

3. Skill Development

The hackathon provided students with hands-on experience in:

Problem identification
Design thinking
Prototype development
Team collaboration
Pitching and presentation

4. Collaboration and Networking

Participants collaborated with peers from diverse academic backgrounds, fostering cross-learning and teamwork.

5. Institutional Impact

The event strengthened Presidency University’s commitment to empowering women innovators and promoting innovation-driven learning environments.

5. FEEDBACK ON THE EVENT

The event received highly positive feedback from participants, faculty members, and organizers.

Student Feedback

Participants expressed that the hackathon provided a valuable opportunity to:

Apply their technical knowledge in real-world scenarios
Collaborate with like-minded innovators
Learn under time pressure while building impactful solutions

Organizers & Faculty Feedback

Faculty members appreciated the enthusiasm and dedication displayed by the students throughout the hackathon. The smooth coordination by the HARVEST Club core team and volunteers ensured the successful execution of the event.

Overall Sentiment

The overall feedback highlighted that SheLeads 2.0 was more than just a hackathon - it was a celebration of innovation, leadership, and women empowerment in technology.

6. CONCLUSION

SheLeads 2.0 – Innovate. Empower. Lead. successfully brought together passionate innovators, aspiring developers, and future leaders for an inspiring 24-hour journey of creativity and collaboration.

The hackathon demonstrated how platforms like these can empower women to explore technology, build impactful solutions, and lead innovation-driven initiatives.

The presence and encouragement of the university leadership, combined with the dedication of the organizing team and participants, made the event a remarkable success.

SheLeads 2.0 not only celebrated innovation but also reinforced the importance of empowering women to become leaders in technology, research, and entrepreneurship.

The event stands as a testament to Presidency University’s vision of nurturing talent, fostering creativity, and building future innovators who can drive positive change in society.