KATHMANDU, MARCH 10
The second phase of SXC SANDBOX 2.0, a national-level 48-hour in-person hackathon, concluded successfully at St. Xavier's College on Sunday.
Bringing participants from across the globe under the theme of the "Walking with the Excluded", this national level event aimed to foster innovation and collaboration among young minds to address real-world challenges, according to the press release issued by the organizer.
The second iteration of the SXC Sandbox was attended by the 27 registered teams with a total of 106 participants, including students from various universities and colleges across Nepal. These teams participated in an intensive coding competition held from 7-9 March, featuring keynote speeches, mentoring sessions, and evaluations. Participants received guidance from industry experts, professors, and high-level speakers, who provided valuable insights and mentorship throughout the event, the release further stated.
Rajan Karmacharya, the moderator of SXC Sandbox 2.0, highlighted the event's impact, stating, "SXC SANDBOX 2.0 is more than just a hackathon; it's a platform where young innovators turn ideas into real-world solutions through technology and collaboration. By fostering a culture of innovation, teamwork, and technological excellence, we empower students to create impactful solutions under expert mentorship. This event is not just about coding-it's about shaping the future of tech-driven problem-solving and inspiring the next generation of change-makers."
The hackathon was centered on creating innovative solutions to ensure inclusivity and equal opportunities for all, particularly for those often overlooked in society. Teams worked on projects addressing real-world challenges, showcasing creativity, technical expertise, and dedication.This hackathon presented a unique opportunity for participants to push the boundaries of their skills and creativity while tackling pressing issues across various domains, it added.
"Innovation stands high when compassion leads the way. Pope Francis reminds us how wonderful it would be if the growth of scientific and technological innovation came along with more equality and social inclusion. At SXC Sandbox 2.0, we witness bright young minds making their innovative move to bridge gaps for the betterment of communities. This is undoubtedly a concrete step toward rediscovering the needs of those around us today", stated Father Augustine Thomas S.J, Principal at St. Xavier's College.
The event concluded with the announcement of the winners, recognizing the following teams for their exceptional contributions:
Winner: JPT CODERS – Vision Mates, an advanced system utilizing hand tracking, object detection, and voice guidance to aid visually impaired individuals.
First Runner-Up: BEYOND Infinity – Narritify, an interactive storytelling platform designed to help children with autism enhance their social skills.
Second Runner-Up: KMBL Coders – Bikri Bagaicha, a project aimed at connecting farmers and vendors to streamline agricultural trade.
The winners received cash prizes, trophies, medals, and gift hampers in acknowledgment of their innovative solutions and impact.
SXC Sandbox has become a hub for innovation, continuing to shape the future of Nepal's tech ecosystem by empowering young minds to innovate and elevate their ideas into impactful solutions.With a focus on innovation and nurturing talent, SXC Sandbox 2.0 aimed to empower the next generation of technologists to drive positive change in society, the organizer said.
