काठमाडौं ।
InnoVision, a team from Sunway College, has won the Build Nepal Hackathon 2026 organized by Mid-Valley International College, presenting a technology-based solution to protect farmers’ crops from the growing monkey menace in rural areas. The four-member team — Samriddhi Dumre, Grishma Karki, Prachi Magar and Prince KC — received the grand prize of Rs. 50,000.
The runner-up title went to Sentinaz, a team from Mid-Valley International College, for their digital transport management concept. Members Shishir Neupane, Swikriti Timilsina and Aditya Bhandari were awarded Rs. 25,000.
Held on August 1–2 under the theme “Build Today, Transform Tomorrow”, the two-day hackathon brought together over 60 participants in 21 multidisciplinary teams, aged 16–24. They developed prototypes and minimum viable products (MVPs) using AI, IoT, robotics and cloud technologies to tackle real-world challenges in Nepal. The competition focused on six thematic areas: smart city, smart agriculture, education, tourism and heritage, cybersecurity, and the digital economy.
Mid-Valley International College Managing Director Rital Rana emphasized the importance of platforms that allow students to present innovative ideas effectively. “Even if students have very good ideas, those ideas cannot be utilized effectively if they are unable to present them,” she said, noting that such programs help bring technologies to the public for wider benefit.
Alpha Beta Chief Subash Thapa pledged counselling and guidance support for students, while BIT Program Manager Sudip Lal Bajimaya highlighted the hackathon’s role in bridging theory and practice. He noted that most teams presented AI-related projects, stressing the need to integrate AI into Nepal’s education system and curricula. “The projects developed by today’s students show the level at which AI is currently being used and the kind of need Nepal has for such technology,” he said.
Judges and mentors from leading IT companies provided direct guidance throughout the event. Technology entrepreneur and CityTech founder Sajan Sharma praised the quality of projects, urging students to continuously build skills in emerging technologies. IME Khalti Limited Co-founder Amit Agrawal advised participants to identify root causes of problems before developing solutions, stressing that long-term success depends on addressing fundamental issues.
Eight experts from companies including Proshore, Pinakin Technologies and Genesel mentored teams during the hackathon. Final presentations were evaluated by Sharma, BLC Global Holdings Managing Director Manish Khemka, and Agrawal. The event was supported by Alpha Beta, Genese, Vianet, Dami Experience, Pinakin Technology and Proshore Nepal Pvt. Ltd.
Organizers said the hackathon aimed to promote digital innovation among youth and transform theoretical knowledge into practical skills. Mid-Valley International College, located in Gyaneshwor, Kathmandu, offers undergraduate programs in IT, management and hospitality, and seeks to advance students in technology, leadership and innovation through industry-oriented education.
प्रकाशित: २० श्रावण २०८३, बुधबार
