The Zonal Level Competitions of Sahyadri Science Talent Hunt-2016 held at forty four zonal centers across Karnataka over the last month culminated in the finale at the Campus. The zonal level winners took part in the finals at Sahyadri College of Engineering & Management who was host to 1500 students from 120 colleges. Close to 250 projects were put on display by all the participating High schools and PU colleges. The event was inaugurated by Prof. Gopalan Jagadeesh, Professor, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Indian Institute of Science(IISc), Bangalore and was symbolically inaugurated by Dr. Murli Dhar Tiwari, Vice Chancellor, Barkatullah University, Bhopal in the august presence of Mr. Manjunath Bhandary, Chairman, Bhandary Foundation, Padmashri Prof. S. K. Shivakumar, Professor, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and the former Director of ISAC, Director of ISRO and Dr. U. M. Bhushi, Principal, Sahyadri College of Engineering & Management and Dr. C. K. Manjunath, Co-coordinator of SSTH-2016. Prof. Gopalan Jagadeesh in his inaugural address, stated the Trends and Perspectives in Development of Science and Technology and said that technology has the potential to develop a product, while Dr. Tiwari congratulated the Chairman, Mr. Manjunath Bhandary for the unique initiative of organizing SSTH and also wished that students graduated from Sahyadri would contribute to the country’s growth.

Dr. Murli Dhar Tiwari, urged the students to take the benefits that are offered by the central universities for the improvement of societal activities. He said, Sahyadri is the only unique institute offering facilities and contributes for the betterment of the students.

Padmashri Prof. S. K. Shivakumar, threw light upon what Space means to a common man and enlightened regarding the Job opportunities associated in this field. He said India has made a mark in the Space program and many new innovations are happening, thus making India a front liner. Research and Development has become the talk of the day. He advised the students to be well focused, work hard and put sincere efforts in their area of interest to achieve success.

Prof. Gopalan Jagadeesh, appreciated the efforts put in by the participants in project display and Sahyadri for organising the event. He motivated the students to never give up, even if they come across failure in their experiment as an entrepreneur and also advised them to have self confidence, develop a good role model in life and use platforms to convert their projects to products.

There was a question & answer session which was answered by the dignitaries. Mr. Deepak Thimaya, the moderator of SSTH-2016 concluded the panel discussion stating that, Innovation will come up with the students’ hard work and their efforts. Efforts will take any individual to their growth.

At the valedictory, Mr. Manjunath Bhandary, Chairman,  delivered the presidential address. He congratulated the students for their efforts and enthusiastic participation in the SSTH-2016. He stated that it is not only academics which is the criteria to excel but along with academics, talent, intelligence and passion is very important because these young minds are the future scientists and entrepreneurs of developing India. He called upon the students to use the platform provided by Sahyadri and interact with eminent invitees and develop their knowledge. He emphasized on converting Project to product.