Conclusion of the third phase of UAE Hackathon at Ajman University

Launched in the presence of the chancellor and participation of 200 contestants

Mobilk - The third phase of the UAE Hackathon "Data for Happiness" organized by the General Authority for Regulating the Telecommunications Sector (TRA) has concluded today at Ajman University supported by the National Programme for Happiness and Positivity in all of the Emirates. The number of contestants in this phase, which was initiated simultaneously in Sharjah and Ajman, reached about 200 contestants who offered a range of relevant innovative solutions based on a thorough scientific analysis of open data sets provided by several government entities in the country.

The final day included the evaluation and discussion by a panel of experts in this area of the ideas presented by the participating teams. Decision was also made on the teams nominated for the award ceremony to be held at Zayed University in Dubai on March 4th. The panelists expressed their admiration for the ideas presented by the students participating in the Ajman Hackathon, which included innovative solutions to many challenges, specifically in the areas of transport, health, education and gender balance, among others.

In this respect, H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, TRA Director General, said: "This partnership with leading educational institutions in the UAE, including AU, embodies our continuous efforts to harness creative energies of the younger generation, enabling them to be well-versed in the vocabulary and tools of the 4IR in which big and open data are the main driver. On this occasion, I would like to invite entrepreneurs, government entities and private sector organizations to embrace outstanding ideas presented by the participants and work towards transforming them into practical solutions that serve the UAEs sustainable development process."

Dr. Karim Seghir, Chancellor of Ajman University, said: "I am so impressed by the talent and tenacity shown in the Hackathon. Ajman University was pleased to host all the participants of this high-tech event, especially during Innovation Month in the UAE and in the Year of Zayed. We hope participants will come back to AU and see the innovations our students and faculty are creating every single day."

The final phase of UAE Hackathon will take place next week at Zayed University in Dubai for three days. Winners in each Emirate (6 teams) will be honored by publishing their winning solutions and applications on the official portal of the UAE. A video showcasing the winning entries will also be published, while winners at the UAE level will receive valuable in-kind prizes.