Media Release
Udupi, Sep 9: The Manipal School of Architecture and Planning (MSAP), in collaboration with MCODS Manipal and the Innovation Centre, proudly presented the first-ever DENTAVERSE 1.0 Hackathon. This groundbreaking event brought together aspiring innovators, dental enthusiasts, and tech aficionados to reimagine the future of technology through creativity, innovation and Interprofessional collaboration. DENTAVERSE 1.0 Hackathon was a remarkable showcase of ideas, innovation, and collaboration, held on September 1st, 2023. Its primary objective was to foster creativity and promote the development of cutting-edge sustainable solutions for addressing challenges and opportunities in the field.
A dedicated team, including Dr Shruti Acharya, Dr Komal Smriti, Dr Mohammed Zuber, Dr Sucheta Kolekar, Dr Anoop Shukla, Vidya Rao, and Anupama Pavithran, worked tirelessly to bring this event to life. Their efforts were bolstered by the unwavering support of the leadership at MSAP and MCODS, including Dr Ramadevi Nandineni, Dr Pradeep Kini, and Dr Monica Charlotte Solomon. The event saw active participation from students representing both colleges and other MAHE institutions, who engaged in rapid and collaborative idea generation within the three themes: sustainable scrubs and clogs, spatial interventions, and patient distractions.
The inauguration of the main Hackathon event took place on September 1 with Dr Narayana Sabhahit, pro vice chancellor, Technology & Science, MAHE, and Dr S K Katharia, EC Member of the Dental Council of India, professor and HOD of oral surgery at S N Dental College Agra, gracing the occasion. During the inauguration, Dr Narayana Sabhahit shared, "We believe in the power of innovation to shape the future of healthcare. This hackathon is a testament to our commitment to fostering creativity and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the dental field."
Dr S K Katharia, in his address, emphasized, "Dentistry is not just about treatments; it is about creating a comfortable and innovative experience for patients. I am pleased to see young minds working on solutions that can enhance patient care."
Eminent judges hailing from diverse backgrounds such as dentistry, medicine, architecture, engineering, fashion, and intellectual property rights rigorously evaluated the 23 teams comprising 115 students across three rounds. The top five ideas were honored with a prize pool totaling Rs 50,000 during the valedictory event on September 2, which featured Dr. Parmeet S Banga, professor, department of prosthodontics, YMT Dental College, Kharghar Navi Mumbai, as the esteemed chief guest.
This hackathon is poised to become a recurring event with national and international participation in the future. It has already captured the imagination and enthusiasm of students and professionals from various fields, who are eager to contribute innovative solutions that have the potential to revolutionize the dental industry.