Sovima: A 26-hour hackathon, Code For Nagaland, concluded on October 16, bringing together 113 students from eight colleges and universities to develop technology-driven solutions across three innovation tracks.
Organised by NEXUSCIPHERGUARD INDIA in collaboration with ICFAI University Nagaland, the hackathon was held on October 15 and 16, with a total prize pool of Rs 1 lakh.
The competition featured three categories: Naga Heritage, Culture and Community Tech; Campus, Youth and Community Life; and Wildcard Track: Open Innovation. Six teams secured the top two positions across the three tracks.
In the Naga Heritage, Culture and Community Tech category, Team 4th Dimension from the School of Engineering and Technology, Nagaland University, Meriema Campus, secured first place. Team Merge Conflict from St Joseph’s University, Chümoukedima, finished second.
Team Brogrammer from ICFAI University Nagaland, Sovima, won the Campus, Youth and Community Life track, while Team L from the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), Kohima, secured second place.
In the Wildcard Track, Team Set Kalua from the School of Engineering and Technology, Nagaland University, Meriema Campus, emerged as the winner. Team Ostereo-Ai from the National Institute of Technology Nagaland finished second.
The 26-hour format required participants to develop their projects, resolve technical challenges and prepare their solutions for evaluation within a fixed deadline. The event also provided opportunities for students to interact with mentors and professionals from fields including artificial intelligence, technology and wellness.
The participating teams were evaluated by a panel comprising Neikepekho Shosahei, associate director (entrepreneurship) at YouthNet; Rishav Sethi, chief executive officer of NITI Group; and Shanchamo Yanthan, assistant professor in the Department of Information Technology at the School of Engineering and Technology, Nagaland University, Kohima Campus, Meriema.
Pangerkumzuk Longkumer, CEO and director of NEXUSCIPHERGUARD INDIA, said the initiative was designed to help students apply their knowledge in practical settings while developing skills in teamwork, time management and problem-solving.
He said the organisers intended to make Code For Nagaland a recurring event and expand it into a larger platform for students across the state.
Masetshiba Imsong, director of operations at NEXUSCIPHERGUARD INDIA, said the initiative aimed to give participants more than recognition for their projects, including new skills, professional connections and a better understanding of their capabilities.
The organisers said feedback from participants, mentors, judges and institutional partners would inform future editions of the hackathon.
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