Abu Dhabi, Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi on Monday witnessed the launch of the first stage of the UAE Hackathon, organised by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, TRA, across the emirates, with the participation of more than 1,000 contestants.
The first day events included a series of training workshops on data and how to deal with them to reach innovative practical solutions to the challenges related to the Hackathon topics, which are education, health and safety, transportation and traffic congestion, sustainable development in the post-oil era, environment and climate change, gender balance, and enhancing social relations and lifestyle in the UAE.
Salem Al Housani, Acting Deputy Director-General for Information and e-Government Sector representing TRA, said, “Our work together on Hackathon is a reflection of the tripartite partnership between the government, the private sector, and the community to achieve the desired happiness and sustainable development, in accordance with the leadership’s directives on future shaping. I would like to thank the students and praise their dedication to this challenge that represents an opportunity to deal with the tools and vocabulary of the era and to provide innovative solutions through the analysis of available government data.”
In turn, Dr. Aref Al Hammadi, Executive Vice President of Khalifa University, “We have motivated the students to participate in this event as we, in Khalifa University, believe in the importance of open data and its role in shaping the future vision of many vital sectors on the country’s level. The UAE Hackathon is an opportunity for students to learn and share experience and knowledge in one of the most important areas of our time.”
The three-day Abu Dhabi Hackathon will take place from 4th to 6th February, 2018. It is the first stage of the UAE Hackathon, the biggest event of its kind in the field of data analysis. It comprises six Hackathons across the seven emirates.
The second stage will take place in Fujairah and Ras al-Khaimah from 11th to 13th February at Ajman University � Fujairah branch, and the American University of Ras al-Khaimah. The third stage will be held from 18th to 20th February in Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Qaiwain, and will be hosted by the American University of Sharjah and Ajman University � Ajman Branch.
Dubai will be the last stage in the UAE Hackathon, where competitions will be held at Zayed University from 25th to 27th February. All residents of the UAE can participate in the Hackathon, and no specialisations or professions are required. The only requirement is online registration, preferably as teams rather than individuals.
Source: Emirates News Agency