MAHE Strengthens Innovation Ecosystem With Launch Of MARInE.ai And AI-Focused Hackathon

Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal a constituent unit of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, launched the MARInE.ai (Manipal Accelerating Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship) initiative on 24th October 2025, marking a major step toward positioning MAHE as a national hub for responsible and interdisciplinary innovation.

 

The launch also featured a one-day workshop on “AI Decision Framework: From Ideas to Impact with GenAI & Agentic AI” and a Hackathon on Agentic AI, jointly organized by the Manipal Universal Technology Business Incubator (MUTBI) and MIT Manipal.

 

Speaking on the occasion, Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh, VSM (Retd.), Vice Chancellor, MAHE, emphasized that, "The initiative serves as a vital bridge between research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. In addition to the MARInE.ai vertical, other upcoming verticals under MARInE will play a key role in translating research into real-world entrepreneurial ventures, fostering innovation, employment generation, and wealth creation."

 

In his address Mr. Praveen Kumar Kalbhavi, Managing Director & CEO, Novigo Solutions, Mangaluru, said, "Research carried out at the university should be translated into real-world applications to create meaningful impact. This remarkable initiative deserves to be emulated by institutions across the globe."

Dr. Chandrakala C. B., Joint Director, MIT Manipal, remarked that "The theme of the workshop aptly captures the spirit that MIT strives to nurture — translating knowledge into meaningful outcomes that drive innovation and contribute to societal progress."

 

The event was coordinated by Dr. Santhosha Rao, CEO, MUTBI and Program Coordinator, MARInE; Dr. Balachandra, Professor, School of Computer Engineering, MIT Manipal, and Convener of MARInE.ai; along with Dr. Nisha P. Shetty and Dr. Akshay K. C., Co-Conveners of MARInE.ai.

 

The event was supported by Directorate of Research, Manipal–GoK Bioincubator, Innovation Center, Corporate Relations, AI Center of Excellence on Health, Department of AI in Healthcare, Manga & Anime Club, Cryptonite, and The Data Alchemists. The workshop was sponsored by MeitY Startup Hub, while the Hackathon was supported by Catalift Innovations Pvt. Ltd.

Bringing together academia, industry experts, and student innovators, the launch of MARInE.ai successfully set the stage for collaborative innovation, interdisciplinary research, and entrepreneurial growth, further strengthening MAHE’s commitment to driving technological advancement and societal impact. 

 

About Manipal Academy of Higher Education:

The Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is an Institution of Eminence Deemed-to-be University. MAHE offers over 400 specializations across the Health Sciences (HS), Management, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences (MLHS), and Technology & Science (T&S) streams through its constituent units at campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bengaluru, Jamshedpur, and Dubai. With a remarkable track record in academics, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and significant contributions to research, MAHE has earned recognition and acclaim both nationally and internationally. In October 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded MAHE the prestigious Institution of Eminence status. Currently ranked 3rd in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), MAHE is the preferred choice for students seeking a transformative learning experience and an enriching campus life, as well as for national & multi-national corporates looking for top talent. Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MCOPS), one of the constituent units of MAHE, has been consistently ranked among Top 10 Pharmacy Institutions in India and has been offering diverse Pharmacy Programs for past 62 years, along with substantial research outputs.