Pune: Dr. Vishwanath Kraad MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU), Pune successfully hosted Vishwanova 2026, its flagship innovation and project expo, garnering tremendous national response. The event saw the participation of over 700 teams and over 3,000 students representing over 120 institutions across 10+ states, cementing its stature as a premier platform for student-driven innovation in India.From this highly competitive pool, over 240 teams were shortlisted for the prototype demonstration round, where participants showcased functional models. After rigorous evaluation, 60 teams were further recognized for their innovation and execution capabilities. The competition awarded the best performance with three top awards and ten consolation prizes, with cash prizes of Rs 1,00,000, Rs 75,000, Rs 50,000 and Rs 5,000 respectively.The event was graced by Bhupesh Gahrotra, Managing Director, Accenture, and Krishan Kumar Madhavan, Chief Guest, Seagate Technology, who emphasized the strong industry-academia collaboration fostered by MIT-WPU.Vishwanova 2026 had a clear emphasis on project-based learning, requiring participants to present working prototypes rather than just concepts, unlike traditional hackathons. Featured performers included teams like Technical Irony, VECTOR, HackHer Duo, Solder and Forget, and Automatic Chicks Brooder, reflecting the wide range of practical and innovative solutions showcased at the event.The innovation exhibition was organized under the leadership and guidance of Rahul V Karad, Executive President, MIT-WPU. The event was led by Chief Convenor Milind Pandey, Pro Vice Chancellor, and Ganesh Kakandekar, Dean – Innovation, and others. The event was carried out without a hitch by the MIT-WPU student club Avonia.Addressing the gathering, Gehrotra praised the projects presented and emphasized the important role of integrating artificial intelligence (AI). He noted that adopting AI is no longer optional, and failure to do so may lose relevance in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape.Madhavan shared insights on the practical implementation of innovative ideas, encouraging participants to adopt emerging technologies responsibly with a strong focus on ethical considerations.
