Mumbai,
India, 16 February 2026 : SAS, a leader in data and AI, in
collaboration with Goa Institute of Management (GIM), is proud to announce the
success of our annual Bitathon, one of India’s most anticipated student
analytics competitions. Now in its eighth edition, the event saw over 1,500
registrations and more than 850 teams from leading institutions nationwide – a
strong testament to the country’s growing appetite for data-driven innovation.
This
year’s theme - "Responsible AI: Intelligence for a Shared Tomorrow” invited
participants to tackle problem statements that reflect the real-world dilemmas
shaping the future of business, society and sustainability. The competition
gave aspiring data scientists a platform to test their skills, engage with
industry leaders, and gain national-level exposure.
Bhuvan
Nijhawan, Sr. Director, Education – Asia Pacific, SAS said, "Bitathon has
become a proving ground for India’s brightest analytical minds. This year,
participants demonstrated how creativity, responsibility, and technical
excellence can come together to solve challenges in meaningful ways. As AI
becomes more autonomous and more embedded in everyday decisions, competitions
like Bitathon prepare students not just to use AI but to share the future of
responsible innovation.”
Dr.
Anup Maurya, Associate Professor - Big Data Analytics at Goa Institute of
Management said, “At Goa Institute of Management, we’ve always believed that
great ideas emerge when academic depth meets hands-on exploration. Bitathon
2026 reaffirmed that belief. The solutions we witnessed this year reflect not
only technical brilliance but a deep understanding of the societal impact of
analytics. Our collaboration with SAS ensures that students gain exposure to
real-world challenges while learning to apply data science with responsibility
and purpose.”
Bitathon
2026 unfolded across two phases – an online preliminary round followed by the
on-campus finale at GIM, Goa, bringing together some of India’s most skilled
young analysts. Participants competed for prestigious SAS Data Science
certifications and cash prizes worth INR 19 Lakhs.
The
finale featured a 24-hour challenge from February 12-14, 2026, set against the
vibrant backdrop of the GIM campus. A celebratory gala dinner offered students
an opportunity to interact with industry experts and peers, while the
concluding day hosted a panel discussion and finalist presentations – creating
a dynamic environment for learning.
The
results of Bitathon 2026 were:
●
Winner: Team
Veritasium from Goa Institute of Management, Goa.
●
First Runner-Up:
Team Players United from BITS Goa.
●
Second Runner-Up:
Team Challengers from Goa Institute of Management, Goa.
Bitathon
2026 underscored the power of collaboration between academia and industry. By
blending rigorous analytical thinking with responsible innovation, the
competition continues to equip India’s next generation with the skills,
confidence and real-world perspective needed to build a smarter, more equitable
future.
About Goa Institute of Management
Goa
Institute of Management is a leading business school focused on transforming
and improving management education.
Rated
among the 'Best B-Schools for the World' in the Positive Impact Rating 2023,
GIM endeavors to have a positive impact on society through its 6 programs
getting agile leaders ready for the world.
SAS
is a global leader in data and AI. With SAS software and industry-specific
solutions, organizations transform data into trusted decisions. SAS gives you
THE POWER TO KNOW®.
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