Event Overview
The Department of Computer Science and Engineering (Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning),
SRM Madurai College for Engineering and Technology, successfully organized TECHERA’26, a
State-Level Technical Symposium on 08.09.2026. The symposium was conducted with the objective of
providing a common platform for students from engineering institutions across Tamil Nadu to
demonstrate their technical knowledge, creativity, innovation, problem-solving abilities, and interest in
emerging technologies.
TECHERA’26 received an enthusiastic response, with 266 student participants representing 17
reputed engineering colleges across Tamil Nadu. The event brought together students, faculty
members, coordinators, and technical enthusiasts in an atmosphere of learning, innovation, and healthy
competition.
Inaugural Ceremony
The symposium commenced with the Tamil Thai Vazhthu, rendered by the college choir team, setting
a dignified and auspicious tone for the proceedings. This was followed by the traditional lighting of
the lamp by the dignitaries, symbolizing the commencement of TECHERA’26.
The Welcome Address was delivered by Dr. S. J. Subhashini, Head of the Department of CSE
(AIML), who warmly welcomed the dignitaries, faculty members, participants, and students. She
highlighted the objectives of the symposium and emphasized the importance of providing students with
opportunities to explore emerging technologies, innovation, and practical problem-solving.
This was followed by the introduction of the Chief Guest, Mr. Satheesh Setharaman, Chief Executive
Officer, Identifyou Technologies, by Dr. R. Lakshmi, Coordinator of TECHERA’26.
The Chief Guest was subsequently honoured with a memento as a token of appreciation for his
presence and valuable contribution to the event.
The Chief Guest Address was then delivered by Mr. Satheesh Setharaman, who shared valuable
insights into the evolving technology landscape and the expectations of the industry from engineering
graduates.
The inaugural ceremony concluded with the Vote of Thanks, delivered by Ms. P. Mohana Priya, Co-
ordinator, who expressed sincere gratitude to the management, Principal, department faculty members,
coordinators, participants, and all those who contributed to the successful organization of the
symposium.
Invited Talk
Following the inaugural ceremony, Mr. Satheesh Setharaman, Chief Executive Officer, Identifyou
Technologies, delivered an insightful invited talk titled “AI – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.”
The session provided participants with a broader perspective on the evolution of Artificial Intelligence,
its present-day applications, and its future possibilities. The speaker discussed the transformation of AI
over the years and highlighted emerging trends that are expected to shape the technological landscape
in the coming years.
The talk also emphasized the growing significance of Artificial Intelligence, prompt engineering, data
analytics, and continuous skill development in the modern engineering ecosystem. The session offered
valuable industry-oriented insights and encouraged students to remain adaptable, continuously learn
emerging technologies, and prepare themselves for the evolving demands of the technology industry.
The invited talk served as an enriching learning experience for the participants and complemented the
technical competitions that followed.
Technical Events
Following the inaugural ceremony, participants actively engaged in five technical competitions
designed to assess diverse technical and innovative capabilities.
Paper Presentation
The Paper Presentation event provided participants with a research-oriented platform to present
innovative ideas, emerging technologies, and technical studies. The event encouraged students to
develop their research aptitude, presentation skills, and ability to communicate technical concepts
effectively.
Prompt Engineering
The Prompt Engineering event focused on the effective use of Generative Artificial Intelligence.
Participants were challenged to design precise and logical prompts to obtain relevant and optimized
outputs, thereby testing their understanding of AI interaction and prompt formulation.
Ideathon
The Ideathon encouraged participants to identify real-world problems and develop innovative, scalable,
and technology-driven solutions. The event emphasized creativity, critical thinking, feasibility, and the
practical application of technology for societal and business needs.
Coding Challenge
The Coding Challenge tested participants' programming and algorithmic problem-solving abilities.
Participants were evaluated based on their logical thinking, coding efficiency, accuracy, and ability to
solve problems within the given time constraints.
Project Expo
The Project Expo served as a major attraction of TECHERA’26, providing students with an opportunity
to exhibit their working projects and technological innovations. The exhibits included software and
hardware-based solutions, with projects demonstrating applications in areas such as agricultural disease
detection using Convolutional Neural Networks and intelligent security systems.
Valedictory Ceremony and Prize Distribution
The symposium concluded with the Valedictory Ceremony, which recognized the achievements and
contributions of participants, coordinators, faculty members, and volunteers.
The Welcome Address and Event Report were delivered by Student Coordinator Mr. Mounesh M,
who presented an overview of the planning, execution, participation, and achievements of
TECHERA’26.
The Valedictory Address was delivered by Dr. S. Durairaj, Principal, who emphasized the
importance of continuous learning, technical competence, innovation, resilience, and collaboration
among students from different institutions.
The Prize Distribution Ceremony was subsequently conducted. Winners and outstanding performers
across all five technical events were presented with trophies and merit certificates in recognition of their
achievements.
The Overall Championship Trophy was awarded to J.J. College of Engineering and Technology
for their outstanding overall performance and highest cumulative points across the symposium.
The programme concluded with the Vote of Thanks, delivered by Student Coordinator Mr. R. J.
Hareezzvijey, who acknowledged the valuable contributions of the management, faculty coordinators,
student volunteers, participating institutions, and all stakeholders involved in making TECHERA’26 a
success.
Participating Institutions
The symposium witnessed participation from 17 engineering institutions across Tamil Nadu,
reflecting its state-level reach and appeal. The participating institutions were:
- Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education
- Mepco Schlenk Engineering College
- PSNA College of Engineering and Technology
- Velammal College of Engineering and Technology
- Kamaraj College of Engineering and Technology
- Ramco Institute of Technology
- Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan University
- Kongunadu College of Engineering and Technology
- AAA College of Engineering and Technology
- J.J. College of Engineering and Technology
- NPR College of Engineering and Technology
- Fatima Michael College of Engineering and Technology
- Mangayarkarasi College of Engineering
- Indra Ganesan College of Engineering
- Solamalai College of Engineering
- SACS MAVMM Engineering College
- Vaigai College of Engineering
Outcome and Impact
TECHERA’26 successfully achieved its objective of creating an inter-collegiate platform for technical
learning, innovation, and collaboration. The symposium enabled students to apply their academic
knowledge in competitive and practical settings while developing essential skills such as
communication, teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving, research, and innovation.
The participation of 266 students from 17 institutions significantly strengthened inter-collegiate
interaction and provided students with opportunities to learn from peers belonging to diverse academic
backgrounds.
The event also provided valuable exposure to emerging areas of technology, particularly Artificial
Intelligence, Generative AI, Prompt Engineering, Data Analytics, Programming, and intelligent
technological applications.
Conclusion
TECHERA’26 was successfully conducted as a vibrant and intellectually engaging State-Level
Technical Symposium. The enthusiastic participation, competitive spirit, innovative project
demonstrations, and technical presentations contributed to the overall success of the event.
The symposium served not only as a platform for competition but also as an opportunity for students to
exchange ideas, explore emerging technologies, enhance their technical capabilities, and build
meaningful academic connections.
The successful completion of TECHERA’26 reflects the commitment of the Department of
CSE(AIML), SRM Madurai College for Engineering and Technology, towards promoting technical
excellence, innovation, experiential learning, and professional development among students.
The event concluded on a positive note, leaving participants with valuable technical exposure, enhanced
confidence, and memorable experiences of learning and healthy competition.
