On March 22, 2025, EDSTEM Unite 2025 – All Hands Meetup brought our passionate team together for a dynamic day of innovation, collaboration, and celebration. From technical deep dives and hackathons to inspiring talks and cherished memories, the event perfectly captured the essence of what makes EDSTEM special – a culture of learning, teamwork, and shared success.
Kickstarting the Event
The day began with a warm and heartfelt welcome from Anisha Mariam Thomas, Manager – Human Resources.
She set the tone for an engaging and uplifting day ahead. Her words encouraged everyone to embrace the spirit of collaboration, curiosity, and growth that defined the event.
Technical Deep Dive: Backend Tech Session by Eby Augustine
Eby Augustine, Senior Backend Software Engineer, took the stage with two fascinating topics:
- Event-Driven Programming using Spring Boot, Postgres, Debezium, and Kafka
- Query-Driven Programming: Integrating GraphQL with Spring Boot & Postgres
His talk offered a deep dive into modern backend architectures, showing how these patterns can be used to build scalable, responsive systems. Eby showcased how these approaches can improve decoupling, responsiveness, and developer experience. It sparked curiosity and thoughtful discussions among developers eager to apply these ideas in real-world projects.
Frontend Tech Session by Faize Ahamed Khan
Faize Ahmed Khan, Senior Frontend Engineer, delivered an engaging talk on "Optimizing Web Performance", sharing best practices and techniques to enhance frontend efficiency.
He walked the audience through performance bottlenecks, shared real-world examples, and introduced tools and techniques to measure and enhance frontend speed.
His talk gave frontend developers a refreshed perspective on how small improvements can lead to big gains in user satisfaction.
The Pragmatic Programmer: A Session by Jerrish Issac Varghese
One of the highlights of the day was the session by Jerrish Issac Varghese, Co-Founder & CTO, who took the audience on a journey through the timeless wisdom of The Pragmatic Programmer. He shared lessons on writing maintainable code, the importance of continuous learning, and avoiding common developer traps. Every insight was backed by stories from his own experience, making the session both relatable and impactful. His session was filled with real-world anecdotes, coding wisdom, and actionable advice, leaving the audience inspired to refine their craft.
Jerrish Sir also took the opportunity to share EDSTEM’s journey over the years and the exciting path ahead.
Networking Over Lunch
After a morning filled with insight and inspiration, attendees came together over a delicious lunch—an ideal setting to unwind, connect, and share ideas. Conversations flowed as team members from different departments got to know each other better, sparking new friendships and potential collaborations.
Hackathon: Innovation at its Best
The Hackathon session was one of the most exciting parts of the day, with 9 brilliant teams presenting their innovative solutions.
- 🏆 1st Prize: Team Polymorphs – AI - Powered Automated Code Review Bot
- 🥈 2nd Prize: Team Cognito – Web Application Firewall (WAF)
With a whopping ₹5 Lakhs in prize money and fierce competition, the hackathon didn’t just celebrate creativity—it encouraged practical, scalable innovation. Some of the presented ideas are now being explored for integration into EDSTEM’s ongoing projects based on its usability.
Award Ceremony: Recognizing Excellence
The Award Ceremony celebrated 17 outstanding employees for their exceptional performance and client appreciation, highlighting their contributions to EDSTEM’s success.
From going above and beyond on projects to setting benchmarks in teamwork and delivery, these individuals represent the passion and commitment that drive EDSTEM forward.
Team Bonding & Unwinding
As the day wound down, the team shifted gears for some well-deserved fun and relaxation. Casual games of cricket kicked off with lots of laughter—even Jerrish Sir joined in, adding to the lively spirit of the match!
Others gathered around carrom boards or took to the water for a peaceful round of boating. It was the perfect way to end an eventful day—unwinding, connecting, and simply enjoying each other’s company in a laid-back setting.
Inspirational Speech by Mithun Madhavan
Mithun Madhavan, Head of Projects and Delivery, delivered a powerful and heartfelt speech that left a lasting impression on everyone in the room. He emphasized the importance of continuous learning, personal growth, and seizing the opportunities EDSTEM provides. Mithun Sir reminded the team that with curiosity, dedication, and the right mindset, every individual has the potential to lead and make an impact. His words resonated deeply, reigniting a sense of purpose and pride in the journey ahead.
Vote of Thanks
The formal segment concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Jerald J George, Manager.
He expressed deep gratitude to everyone who contributed to making EDSTEM Unite 2025 a grand success—from the organizers and speakers to the enthusiastic participants and volunteers. It was a fitting close to a day filled with knowledge, inspiration, innovation, and connection.
Dinner: A Delicious Culinary Experience
As the evening set in, the team gathered for a scrumptious dinner, relishing a variety of dishes while sharing laughs and memorable moments. Amid shared laughs, light-hearted conversations, and cherished moments, it was the perfect way to wind down after a fulfilling day.
Conclusion
EDSTEM Unite 2025 was more than just an event—it was a celebration of knowledge, innovation, teamwork, and achievements. The energy, enthusiasm, and camaraderie shown throughout the day reflected the very heart of EDSTEM’s culture. From insightful sessions and groundbreaking ideas to heartfelt speeches and fun-filled moments, every part of the day brought us closer as a team. Here’s to many more such gatherings that strengthen our bond and drive us toward greater success!
