Final Day Spotlight: Talented coders at the CodeMaps Hackathon showcased innovative projects addressing real-world challenges.
Shoolini University came alive with excitement as it hosted the second edition of Glitch Tech Fest 2025 from March 28 to 30. Organised by the Yogananda School of AI, Computers, and Data Science, the three-day festival brought together students for an action-packed showcase of gaming, coding, and technology. The fest was organised at the newly constructed AI and Futures Centre on campus.
MAIT Rohini New Delhi, GGSIPU East Delhi Campus, PDA College of Engineering Gulbarga, DP College of Engineering Pune, Government College Seema Rohru, Nauni University, and Panjab University were among the institutions that participated in the Glitch Fest.
The event began with an inauguration ceremony featuring notable speakers, including the President of Innovation and Marketing, Shoolini University, Prof Ashish Khosla; Executive Director, Global Education Strategy, University of Melbourne, Australia, David Israel; Faculty Executive Director, Science School, University of Melbourne, Australia, Rose Bryant Smith; and author Nitish Bhushan. Prof Ashish Khosla encouraged students to make the most of the festival, while Israel praised the university’s support for gaming enthusiasts. Bryant Smith highlighted the role of creativity in technology, and Bhushan shared valuable insights on innovation.
The competitions started with BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India), where teams from Shoolini University, like TSG, C4, VFX, MATRIX, and 4Unknown, battled on the Erangel map, displaying impressive strategy and teamwork. For students like Mannat, a BCA student, participating in BGMI was a dream come true. “I love playing in my free time, so I joined. If you have the skills and passion, you can make a career in eSports,” she shared.
Meanwhile, the Valorant tournament featured six intense matches, three of which were streamed live on YouTube, adding to the excitement. The competition grew tougher on the second day, with VFX dominating BGMI through smart coordination, while Cloud9 and TSG secured major wins. In Valorant, PixelProwlers emerged as the undefeated champions, with Pandavas and TheGr8Nazarick (TGN) taking second and third place. The FIFA tournament was equally competitive, with John Banda, a Shoolini student from Zambia, claiming the top spot, while Saksham Bharti from Nauni University secured the top spot in the Tekken championship.
The highlight of the final day of the fest was innovation with the CodeMaps Hackathon, where talented coders presented projects tackling real-world challenges. Among the standout ideas were Unisafe, a real-time emergency alert app for universities, and the Smart Drug Authentication Network, a blockchain-based system designed to combat counterfeit medicines.
Judges Asst Prof Abhishek Tomar, Asst Prof Nitesh Sharma, and Asst Prof Valeed carefully evaluated the projects, and Prof Pankaj Vaidya announced the winners. Hushed Coders clinched first place, followed by D. Bug Thugs in second, who also received a special award for the best pitch and exceptions in third.
For students like Ragha, a B Pharmacy student, the fest was an opportunity to explore the rising potential of gaming. “This year’s Tech Fest is bigger than ever. I’ve been playing for three years, and this event is a great platform to earn money through gaming with exciting cash prizes,” she said.
Glitch 2025 was a celebration of skill, strategy, and creativity. The dedication of the organising team, faculty, and participants made it a resounding success. As the event wrapped up, students left with victories and memories, friendships, and a renewed passion for gaming and technology.