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Fintech Innovation to Shape India%u2019s Digital Economy, Says STPI Director at SRMIST Fintech HackathonSTAFF WRITERSRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), Kattankulathur, hosted the Fintech Hackathon Prize Distribution Ceremony, organised by the School of Computing, Directorate of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (DEI), and Career Centre, in collaboration with FinBlue %u2013 a FinTech Centre of Entrepreneurship by Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) %u2013 and the Bootstrappers%u2019 Research Council (BRC), Chennai.Delivering the Chief Guest address, Shri V. Mahadesha, Director, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), MeitY, Government of India, highlighted the pivotal role of fintech in India%u2019s growth story. He noted that fintech innovation would play a crucial role in strengthening the country%u2019s digital ecosystem and emphasised that hackathons such as this enable students to build scalable, secure, and inclusive financial solutions with national impact.Prof. C. Muthamizhchelvan, Vice Chancellor, SRMIST, commended the collaboration with STPI and industry partners, observing that the solutions presented by students reflected technological maturity and entrepreneurial thinking. He reiterated SRMIST%u2019s commitment to experiential learning and industry-aligned education that nurtures future technology leaders.The hackathon witnessed enthusiastic participation from 232 teams across the SRM Group of Institutions, addressing critical challenges in digital payments, blockchain applications, cybersecurity, and financial inclusion. The First Prize of `1,25,000 was won by a team from SRMIST, Kattankulathur. The Second Prize of `75,000 was secured by a team from SRM University, Andhra Pradesh. Teams from SRMIST, Kattankulathur, also won the third prize of `50,000 and the fourth prize of `25,000, while the fifth prize of `25,000 was awarded to a team from SRMIST, Ramapuram Campus. Senior officials from SRMIST and STPI, including Dr. R. Gokulakrishnan, Scientist F, STPI Chennai; Shri N. Gopu, COO, FinBlue %u2013 STPI Fintech CoE; Dr. N. Venkata Sastry, Director, Career Centre, SRMIST; Prof. Revathi Venkataraman, Chairperson, School of Computing, SRMIST; Prof. M. Leenus Jesu Martin, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRMIST; and Prof. SS. Sridhar, Associate Dean %u2013 Academics, FET, SRMIST, interacted with and encouraged the participants.SRMIST Inaugurates Tamil Nadu%u2019s First Multidisciplinary Industry-Supported Design and Make Skills Centre with AutodeskSTAFF WRITERISRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), Kattankulathur campus, has inaugurated the Centre for Advanced Skill Development in Design and Make Industry, an industry-supported initiative powered by Autodesk on January 08, 2026. The centre is a significant milestone, being the third Autodesk-supported skill development centre in Tamil Nadu and the first in the State to adopt a multidisciplinary model across Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical & Electronics Engineering.The centre aims to equip students with hands-on, technology-driven learning aligned with industry requirements, offering access to Autodesk%u2019s advanced cloud-based platforms. Students will receive training in Building Information Modeling (BIM), digital manufacturing, and AI-driven design optimization, bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world application.Addressing the gathering, Dr. C. Muthamizhchelvan, Vice Chancellor, SRMIST, highlighted the importance of industry integration in higher education, stating that the centre will play a key role in preparing students for the demands of the global technology-driven workforce.The initiative will benefit students from Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, and Media Sciences, with over 2,000 students expected to be trained annually. In addition, around 100 faculty members will be trained every year as certified master trainers, strengthening institutional capacity in emerging technologies.Beyond infrastructure, the collaboration with Autodesk focuses on curriculum enhancement, faculty development, and immersive industry-aligned programs, reinforcing SRMIST%u2019s commitment to innovation, experiential learning, and global employability.Prof. C. Muthamizhchelvan, Vice Chancellor, SRM IST, inaugurating the Centre for Advanced Skill Development in Design and Make Industry.22 2026 | Spectrum | Volume 19 Number 5