Shillong, Feb 12: A total of 109 enthusiastic young girls along with seven government school teachers, and principals participated in the All Girls’ Hackathon at University of Science and Technology Meghalaya on Tuesday.
Fostering a vibrant atmosphere of learning and innovation, the event was organised by the TechDiva Foundation, in collaboration with Akshar Foundation and the Computer Science Department of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM).
More than just a competition, the hackathon served as a powerful platform to empower young girls, encouraging them to explore their potential in the digital world. It aimed to spark curiosity, build technical skills, and pave the way for a brighter, tech-driven future.
The participating students hailed from Akshar Model School and various government schools where Akshar Foundation has initiated educational interventions. These schools included T.C. Government Girls High School, Laxminath Bezbaruah ME School, Sundarbari ME School, Lokapriya Bordoloi Vidyalaya, and Birubari Rupnagar Vidyalaya. The hackathon served as a platform for these young minds to explore coding and technology, igniting their passion for STEM fields.
Addressing the participants, Manu Sekar, Founder CEO and Managing Trustee of the Chennai-based TechDiva Foundation, emphasized the significance of introducing 7th and 8th-grade girls from low-income schools to coding and technology at an early stage. “In this third edition of the All Girls’ Hackathon, our goal is to create a lasting impact by nurturing their interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. By providing them with this exposure, we aim to build their confidence and open doors to future opportunities,” he stated.
Prof. Dr. Alka Sarma, Founder Director of Akshar Foundation, also addressed the participants, highlighting the impact of the Akshar Education Model, which blends hands-on skills with conceptual understanding to foster holistic student development in government schools.
Tridib Dutta, Zone Supervisor at Akshar Foundation, emphasized the importance of tech exposure for young girls, stating, “Our objective is to introduce these students to technology at USTM, helping them explore new possibilities and develop essential skills for the future.”
During the event, the participants engaged with 100 short computer-based questions, forming the basis for selecting students for further intensive training in AI and technology.
The initiative is part of the larger All Girls’ Hackathon 3, which is being hosted across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, and the North Eastern states in partnership with universities, colleges, and NGOs. This collaborative effort is designed to extend tech education to underserved communities and inspire the next generation of female tech leaders.
