Innovation Duel 2025 Turns Campus into a One-Day Innovation Lab for First-Year Engineers

Bengaluru, 27th November 2025: The Enigma Club of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology at JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), hosted Innovation Duel 2025, a one-day on-campus innovation sprint designed to ignite creativity and problem-solving among first-year students. Held at the FET campus, the event brought together 50 participants from an initial enrolment of 60 students, all working intensively to transform ideas into functional prototypes.

The initiative was conceived as a live innovation laboratory where students identified real campus-based challenges and developed technology-driven solutions within a strict time frame. Rather than limiting participants to predefined domains, the event encouraged interdisciplinary thinking across AI, IoT, web, app, and hardware-based development.

The day began with an inauguration and motivational briefing led by the faculty club coordinator and club lead, setting the tone for a fast-paced collaborative experience. Teams were then assigned mentors who provided structured guidance during the initial ideation phase, helping students refine their problem statements and conceptual approaches.

A two-stage evaluation process formed the core of the competition. In the first round, a panel comprising faculty members from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, along with the Enigma Club technical team, assessed all participating teams. Ten teams were shortlisted based on innovation, feasibility, and relevance to campus challenges. These teams progressed to the final round, where an additional jury panel evaluated working prototypes and presentations in greater depth.

Throughout the day, students worked under time constraints to design, build, and present solutions addressing issues such as campus utilities, sustainability, and academic process improvements. Despite the pressure, the format encouraged rapid decision-making, collaboration, and practical application of technical skills.

The event concluded with a closing ceremony addressed by senior faculty members, including Dr T. R. Mahesh and Dr Kamlesh Tiwari, who commended the participants for their creativity and commitment. Certificates of appreciation were also presented to the judging panel in recognition of their contribution.

Winners were announced at the end of the programme, with the top three teams receiving cash prizes and certificates. Innovation Duel 2025 ultimately provided students with a valuable early exposure to real-world engineering challenges, reinforcing the importance of teamwork, innovation, and applied technical thinking in shaping future-ready engineers.