SSN College of Engineering and IIT Tirupati Shine at i2 Academia Awards

The i2 Academia Awards ceremony was held yesterday, January 24, 2026 recognizing universities for their innovation-led research showcased during IMTEX FORMING 2026.

As part of the evaluation process, one research project from each participating university was shortlisted for the final presentation round. Students and faculty members presented their projects before a three-member jury, comprising Shashiprakasha LS, Expert Faculty, IMTMA; Dr T Krishna Rao, Faculty, IMTMA; and Dr Prathima Holla, Guest Faculty, IMTMA, who assessed the entries earlier in the day.

Two awards were presented to the participating universities: the Popular Choice Award, decided by audience voting, and the i2 Academia Award, adjudicated by the jury.

In the Popular Choice category, PSCMR College of Engineering and Technology, Vijayawada; Aditya College of Engineering and Technology, Bengaluru; and D.K.T.E. Society’s Textile & Engineering Institute, Kolhapur, jointly secured the runner-up position. SSN College of Engineering, Chennai, emerged as the overall winner, with the jury noting a commanding lead over the other entries.

SSN College of Engineering also featured prominently in the jury-decided i2 Academia Award, securing third place along with a cash prize of INR 15,000. KLS Gogte Institute of Technology, Belagavi, won second place, taking home INR 30,000.

The overall i2 Academia Award was won by IIT Tirupati, which received a cash prize of INR 50,000 in recognition of its research excellence and innovation.

The winners were felicitated by the jury members along with Satish Kumar, Senior Advisor, IMTMA, and Naveen GS, Director – Training, IMTMA.

Winners of the i2 Academia Awards held during IMTEX FORMING 2026. Two awards were presented to  the participating universities: the Popular Choice Award, decided by audience voting, and the i2 Academia Award, adjudicated by the jury.