X³ Tech Fest 2026 celebrates student-led innovation at SRM University-AP, Amaravati

The spirit of innovation lit up the APJ Abdul Kalam Auditorium as students took centre stage to bring X³ Tech Fest 2026 to life—a three-day celebration of technology, collaboration, and ambition organised by the AWS Cloud Club at SRM University-AP, Amaravati.

The inaugural ceremony began with the traditional lamp lighting, setting the tone for a journey driven not just by technology, but by student leadership and shared vision. What followed was more than a formal event—it was a story of students building something meaningful together.

With over 200 participants forming 40 teams from across Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and beyond, the fest unfolded as a vibrant platform where ideas met execution. Designed as a continuous hackathon blended with workshops, developer talks, robotics sessions, live prototype demonstrations, and a tech expo, the event offered a prize pool of ₹3,00,000—fueling both competition and creativity.

At the heart of this initiative stood Arpan Pramanik, Cloud Club Captain, whose opening address captured the essence of X³ as a unified platform for innovation and collaboration. He emphasised how the fest aimed to foster creativity, meaningful connections, and real-world problem-solving among participants. Supporting this vision was Avantika Singh, a student volunteer, along with a dedicated team of student organisers, and Naman Pasricha, an MBA student, reflecting a truly interdisciplinary effort.

Guiding the student-led initiative, Mr Ajay Kumar Sahu, Faculty Advisor to the AWS Cloud Club and Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, welcomed participants and highlighted the fest’s focus on Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. He underscored how such platforms empower students to learn, create, and grow beyond classrooms.

The event was graced by Mr Chand Gudi, CEO of Vyobotics, as Chief Guest, who inspired participants with insights into entrepreneurship, robotics, and accessing global funding opportunities.

In his inaugural address, Prof. Ch. Satish Kumar, Vice Chancellor, appreciated the evolution of hackathons into holistic learning ecosystems that combine competition with knowledge exchange and industry exposure. He encouraged students to think beyond conventional boundaries and embrace emerging technologies, while also highlighting the university’s ongoing technological transformations.

Adding to the occasion, Mr Pankaj Belwariar, Director–Communications, urged students to explore not just the campus but their own potential, aligning with the ethos of “explore, exhibit, and evolve.” The presence of Prof. C. V. Tomy, Dean, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, further strengthened the academic support behind the initiative.

More than just a fest, X³ Tech Fest 2026 stands as a testament to what student communities can achieve when given ownership, mentorship, and trust—a collaborative success story where leadership is learned by doing, and innovation becomes a shared journey.