Beyond Bytes: MLSA’s Odyssey in 2023

Sudipta Subham Sahu
MLSAKIIT
Published in
7 min readDec 31, 2023

As the clock strikes midnight and we bid adieu to 2023, it’s a great time to take a stroll down memory lane and relive the incredible journey of Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador (MLSA) at KIIT University. From tech events to tech projects to fun games, MLSA, KIIT Chapter has left no byte unturned in making this year an unforgettable one.

“Kalki” — MLSA’s Debut Event of 2023

“Kalki,” the inaugural event organised by three societies, including MLSA at KIIT University, marked a grand debut for the society. The event showcased a trifecta of technological brilliance with three distinct competitions: Kalki Computer Vision, Kalki Scavenger Hunt, and Kalki ARVR. Adding an extra layer of excitement, Red Bull, a notable sponsor, introduced the Red Bull F1 Simulator car, delivering an adrenaline-fueled experience for the audience. The event not only set the stage for MLSA’s journey but also left a lasting impression with its diverse range of competitions and thrilling attractions.

Fresh Souls

March marked the beginning of many new faces at MLSA, KIIT University as the team embarked on a recruitment drive, welcoming fresh faces into our vibrant community committing to being a force for good. After that, we orchestrated a series of events that resonated across the university and the tech community alike. Each event was a unique note in the grand symphony of MLSA KIIT, creating an atmosphere of innovation, collaboration, learning and networking.

Eye Spy Squid Captivates With Over 900 Participants

In April, we came forward with our 2nd event of the year attracting over 900 participants. The event was named “Eye S.py Squid” and this event was a deep dive into the world of Python Language, where our community taught the participants to install Python and then explored Computer vision and how the participants can develop Computer Vision skills to bring their imagination to life. More on this thrilling adventure can be found on our Medium page.

Community Chronicles: Where Fun Meets Learning

After the successful completion of Eye S.py Squid, MLSA went through a change in leadership in the month of July. The community, with heavy hearts, bid adieu to the passing out senior batch and younger, worthy individuals were entrusted with leadership positions in the community with never ending support from the seniors.

Within the community, the story extended beyond events and projects. General Body Meetings (GBMs) became a melting pot of fun and learning, epitomising the ethos of MLSA. The first GBM with the new leaders was organised soon, where we also presented merchandise to all our members free of cost, including T-Shirts.

The Stark Expo

After many sleepless nights of discussion and planning, MLSA organised its next event, The Stark Expo, a Marvel themed Tech based ideathon in the month of August. The event was divided into several domains, including Cybersecurity, AR/VR, WebDev, AppDev, etc, where the participants were first briefed about the specific domain, followed by a brief on prompt engineering.

This was followed by an ideathon where participants ideated and delivered their ideas to different real life problems with the help of the domain they had selected. The event created a great buzz around the university and at the end, seats for the events had to be increased and new seminar halls had to be opened up and prepared to accommodate the sea of audience. The event concluded with rewards being presented to individuals who came up with out of the world ideas to solve real life problems, with the help of technology.

Embracing Innovation With Hacktoberfest

With the arrival of October, the tech savvy community again came together to organise the “Hacktoberfest”, a globally celebrated phenomena for coding enthusiasts. This event provided a platform for the new recruits to strategise, analyse and organise this event setting the target audience of more than 700 individuals. This platform gave participants an opportunity to delve deeper into the world of coding collaboration and problem solving.

With the successful organisation of the Hackotberfest, we broke our own ceiling to conduct our first event in an auditorium, setting new benchmarks for the upcoming events of MLSA.

Frosty Chills and The ‘Haunting’ Kryptic Hunt

“Kryptic Hunt” a winter online event, unfolded as a captivating challenge for participants. Managed through social media platforms, Discord, and WhatsApp, the event immersed participants in a cryptic journey.

With a spooky theme and enigmatic messages to decipher, the event spanned 48 hours, keeping the community engaged and on their toes. The competitive spirit soared as participants vied for the top spots on the leaderboard, with the ultimate victors rewarded with exclusive merchandise, swags, and other exciting prizes. “Kryptic Hunt” not only tested participants’ problem-solving skills but also fostered a sense of community and camaraderie during the winter season.

Pioneering Innovation and Excellence at MLSA

The Technical Team at MLSA stands as the backbone of innovation and excellence, upholding the society’s legacy while forging new paths. Their commitment to maintaining high standards is evident in the brilliant projects they’ve crafted, the seamless management of databases, and the creation of an intuitive website. Their prowess not only sustains the technical legacy but propels MLSA into a realm of continuous growth and exploration.

With projects being developed at multiple domains, the In-House tech projects reached new heights this year at MLSA. Our projects ranged from likes of AR Medical Instrument Interactive App to Pwnagotchi, which is a Raspberry Pi based tool that learns from its surrounding WiFi environment in order to maximise the crackable WPA key material it captures.

Building Bridges With A Website

Complementing the dynamic activities, MLSA invested in building a comprehensive website that encapsulates everything about our projects, events, new leads, and a repository of media and blogs. It serves as a testament to our commitment to transparency and accessibility. You can check our website out at https://www.mlsakiit.com/

MLSA’s Creative Collectives

The collective synergy of the creative teams at MLSA has been nothing short of spectacular.

From regular blogs on MLSA’s Medium page to posts on social media platforms to assisting in tech projects, the creative team’s touch has been golden this year, with numerous achievements. The minds that breathe life into visuals, be it posts, content or videos, our creative team have been the creative backbone of MLSA’s creative endeavours elevating the community’s presence and impact. Fun fact, the designers of the creative team themselves designed the merchandises for the community, including the tshirt.

The Marketing Maestroes at MLSA

The Marketing Team at MLSA, emerged as the architects of a cheerful and dynamic environment within the society, be it in events or in house activities. Their brilliance extended beyond the confines of the community, as they secured impeccable sponsorships that added significant value to every event by bolstering registrations and rewards for events, ensuring that we keep helping the community in a better, more successful way. Through strategic initiatives and infectious enthusiasm, the Marketing Team not only kept the chair but also elevated the society’s reach and impact, creating a space where innovation thrived and collaboration flourished.

A Year of Achievements and Growth

In the tapestry of Microsoft Learns Student Ambassadors at KIIT University, 2023 was a chapter of innovation, collaboration, and holistic growth. From coding marathons to cryptic adventures, the community embraced diversity and change with open arms. As we bid farewell to the past and embrace the future, MLSA at KIIT University stands united, navigating the ever-evolving landscape of technology, learning, and brainstorming on more ideas to contribute to the community and make tech be available for all. Here’s to another year of challenges, triumphs, and the unwavering spirit of innovation.

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