Swedish networking and telecom company Ericsson has announced the launch of its ‘Together Apart Hackathon’ event, taking place from 22nd April 2021 and 31st March 2022.
A hackathon is a design sprint-style event in which computer programmers and others interested in software creation, such as graphic designers, interface designers, project managers, domain experts, and others, work on software projects intensively.
The hackathon event aims to hasten the journey towards a more connected future while also addressing global issues. Furthermore, it intends to draw new ideas and promote developments in target verticals through partnering with innovators, disruptors, and creative people to create technology-based solutions aligned with the UAE vision 2021 highlighting the potential of 5G.
According to the reports, “Participants will seek to find innovative solutions in the six broad themes of UAE’s Vision 2021 – World Class Healthcare and Wellbeing, First Rate Education System: The Ease of Learning and Access to Education – future of education, Competitive Knowledge and Digital Economy, Sustainable Environment and Infrastructure, Safe Public and Fair Judiciary, and Cohesive Society and Preserved Identity Transcending Physical Borders.”
Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi UAE Minister Entrepreneurship and SMEs
“The launch of this innovative hackathon represents an advanced and fruitful example of the well-established partnership between the public and the private sector in supporting and developing the innovation environment in the country, especially by linking it to the goals of the national agenda for the UAE Vision 2021. It is expected that a broad range of vital sectors will benefit from the innovative ideas that will be discussed and produced by this distinguished event. For individuals and companies, we, at the Ministry of Economy, are keen to sponsor and support such leading initiatives and events, which can enhance the position of the UAE as a destination for creators and encourage citizens and residents to establish innovation-based companies in the UAE in various fields, especially in the sectors of the new economy that serve the development targets of the UAE.”
Wojciech Bajda, Vice President and Head of Gulf Council Countries at Ericsson said, “The hackathon is being driven by Ericsson’s UAE Innovation Hub and is evidence of the company’s firm commitment to the UAE and towards accelerating the journey of digital transformation in the country. We are confident that this Hackathon will provide a platform to encourage the best minds in the country to come forward to develop solutions for the benefit of the UAE.”
“From the Innovation Hub we will drive the Together Apart Hackathon to tap into the talent here to create and spur ideas and solutions that will evolve the UAE’s digital landscape,” commented Maya Moukbel, Head of Innovation at Ericsson Middle East and Africa.
The program begins with a call for ideas, wherein interested participants can register online to submit their pitches. The top five ideas from each theme will be shortlisted to participate in the hackathon. Also, webinars will be conducted to inspire, educate and prepare the participants with the necessary skills for the idea development starting 22nd April.
The event is open to all professional developers, programmers, designers, engineers, technopreneurs, university students, and creative individuals from all private and public institutions based in the UAE.
