Olympiad – Engineering Student Shrika Rana Wins National Brainiac Title
Olympiad – On January 29, 2026, the auditorium at Woxsen University in Hyderabad erupted in applause as Shrika Rana’s name was announced as the National Woxsen Olympiad 2026 – Red Hat Brainiac Champion. For the second-year B.Tech Computer Science and Engineering student, the moment marked a turning point in a journey shaped more by persistence than by easy victories.
Shrika describes the win as deeply meaningful. She says she had never previously topped a major competition. While she consistently performed well in academics, being the outright best had always seemed just out of reach. Hearing her name declared as champion, she recalls, felt less like a surprise and more like long-awaited recognition for years of steady effort.
A Personal Milestone Beyond Rankings
For Shrika, the title represented validation rather than sudden success. After completing Class 12, she admits she struggled with self-doubt, often believing she was capable but not exceptional. That mindset quietly followed her into college.
Standing on stage during her second year, however, shifted that narrative. She viewed the achievement as confirmation that consistency matters. According to her, the experience reinforced a simple idea: effort, even when unnoticed, eventually finds acknowledgment.
Mindset Over Last-Minute Preparation
Shrika attributes her performance not to intensive last-minute revision, but to what she calls a disciplined mental approach. She avoids negative self-talk and does not entertain thoughts of failure, even casually. In her view, allowing defeatist language, even as a joke, gradually shapes outcomes.
This outlook influenced major life choices. During a period of uncertainty in West Bengal, she chose to move away from home to pursue her education. Convincing her parents to support her decision to join Woxsen University required clarity and determination. Looking back, she believes that willingness to take calculated risks strengthened her confidence long before the Olympiad.
A Defining Debate on Inclusivity and Excellence
One of the competition’s most intense stages was the group discussion round. Participants were asked to debate the theme “Inclusivity vs. Excellence.” Shrika approached the topic by first clarifying definitions. She argued that excellence cannot be fully measured if certain sections of society are excluded from opportunity.
When another contestant suggested that inclusivity might compromise merit, Shrika countered by emphasizing that dismissing someone’s success as merely a result of policy undermines individual capability. She compared such assumptions to claims that immigrants “take jobs” without recognizing competence and contribution.
She says she performs best when challenged. For her, disagreement is not confrontation but an opportunity to refine ideas under pressure.
Balancing AI Efficiency with Real Learning
As a student specializing in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Shrika holds thoughtful views on emerging technology. She acknowledges that AI tools are transforming education, but she also believes they must be used responsibly.
In earlier academic settings, she notes, students had to carefully analyze research papers and build understanding step by step. That process required patience and concentration, creating deeper learning. “AI should compress time, not learning,” she says, emphasizing that technology should support efficiency without replacing intellectual effort.
According to her, the difference lies in intent. Students who use AI with structured thinking and clear objectives benefit from it. Those seeking shortcuts, she believes, risk weakening their own comprehension.
About Woxsen University, Hyderabad
Woxsen University, located in Hyderabad, Telangana, is among the early private universities established in the state. Spread across a 200-acre campus, the institution offers programs in Business, Technology, Arts and Design, Architecture, Law, and Liberal Arts and Humanities.
The university is known for its extensive sports facilities spanning over 60 acres and maintains partnerships with more than 175 global universities. In recent national and international rankings, Woxsen has secured notable positions, including recognition in the QS Business Masters World Ranking 2025 and high placements in various Indian academic surveys for undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Shrika Rana’s Olympiad victory now adds another achievement to the university’s academic milestones. More importantly, for the student herself, it marks a shift from uncertainty to confidence—an outcome shaped by steady work, open debate, and a clear belief that growth comes from persistence rather than shortcuts.
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