Bangalore, Feb 12: VIT Bhopal University, in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University (JHU), USA, proudly inaugurated Health-Hack 2026 on February 11, 2026. The prestigious two-day event, aimed at advancing healthcare innovation, brought together thought leaders, researchers, and innovators to explore ground-breaking solutions for the future of healthcare technology.
The event was inaugurated under the esteemed leadership of VIT Bhopal University’s Honourable Chancellor, Dr. G. Viswanathan, and supported by Vice President Mr. Sankar Viswanathan, Assistant Vice President Ms. Kadhambari S. Viswanathan, and Trustee Ms. Ramani Balasundaram. The opening ceremony, which featured the traditional Lighting of the Lamp and Prayer Ceremony, symbolized a strong commitment to innovation in the healthcare sector.
Dr. T. B. Sridharan, Pro Vice Chancellor of VIT Bhopal University, delivered a Welcome Address, emphasizing the importance of technology-driven solutions in transforming global healthcare. Dr. Siddhartha Maiti, Convenor of Health-Hack 2026, highlighted the event’s role in bridging academia and industry to foster meaningful healthcare advancements.
Inspiring Keynote Addresses
The event featured insightful keynote speeches by industry leaders, including Dr. Youseph Yazdi, Executive Director at the Center for Bioengineering Innovation and Design (CBID), Whiting School of Engineering, JHU, and Dr. Hedy Alvai, Associate Dean of Global Partnerships at JHU. These leaders discussed the role of innovation in making healthcare more accessible and efficient globally.
Special Guests
The Guest of Honor, Dr. Veerendra Kumar, Director of Technical Education, Madhya Pradesh, underscored the importance of healthcare innovation in shaping the future, while Chief Guest Dr. Arun Balakrishnan, Advisor to CEO, Chief Innovation Officer at OmniActives Health Technologies, stressed the need for deeper collaboration between industry and academia.
Event Highlights
- Keynote Sessions: Leading experts from Johns Hopkins University shared valuable insights on the latest innovations in accessible healthcare technology.
- Technical Sessions: Researchers presented transformative solutions aimed at enhancing healthcare accessibility, telemedicine, and mental health care.
- Workshops and Competitions: The event showcased novel solutions from young innovators, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and hands-on learning.
The first phase of evaluation in January 2026 saw 579 teams (2635 participants) from premier institutions across India, including IITs, NITs, IIITs, and government medical colleges, as well as international participants. From this, 231 teams (1160 participants) qualified for the main event and presented groundbreaking healthcare innovations in both the days.
The inaugural session concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Dr. Rajdeep Singh Payal, expressing gratitude to the management, organizing team, esteemed speakers, and participants. With an electrifying start, Health-Hack 2026 continued with engaging sessions and competitions, reinforcing VIT Bhopal University’s mission to drive research, innovation, and industry collaboration in healthcare technology.