UJ Technopreneurship Centre hosts Hackathon Challenge

The University of Johannesburg’s Technopreneurship Centre in partnership with the Pan African Information Communication Technology Centre (PAICTA) will host a hackathon challenge on 28 November 2020. 

 Hackathon Challenge will take place 28 November 2020

The hackathon challenge will select over 100 university students that will be challenged to collaborate and create an innovative tech-driven solution to combat issues in the country.

The objective for the Hackathon Challenge, hosted by The University of Johannesburg’s Technopreneurship Centre and PAICTA, is to assist the youth with emerging jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities through the development of technical skills. This will in turn contribute directly toward economic growth.  

The challenge will assist entrepreneurs in enhancing their problem-solving skills and entrepreneurial capabilities. 

How it works

The Hackathon Challenge starts at 7am on 28 November 2020. Over 100 students will be separated into groups and given a Problem Statement. Each group of students will need to solve the issue presented on the Problem Statement by designing a working prototype using the Design Thinking process which selected mentors will assist in. 

The selected mentors offer expertise and experience in academia and are from a range of private companies such as CISCO, FNB, BMW, Iderto, HERE Technologies, Custodient Advisory Services, DFA, social enterprise, Geekculcha, and the research organisation, CSIR.

The mentors selected for the Hackathon Challenge will be supported by The University of Johannesburg (UJ) and Nelson Mandela University.

On the judging panel, to analyse the innovations presented by the groups, will be Ms Doreen Mokoena, the CEO of CyberSec Clinique, Mr Muzi Ntombela, CIO at the Centre for Public Service Innovation, Mr Tiyani Nghonyamai, the COO of Geekulcha, Dr Mpho Raborife, Senior Lecturer at the University of Johannesburg, Mr Gerald O’Sullivan, a Solutions Architect, and I.T. professional at IT Works, and Dr Naomi Isabirye, a PAICTA Advisory Board member and the head of Information and Communication Technology at OPECS (PTY).

After judging the presentations, the top five innovations will be selected to move to the final phase of the Hackathon Challenge. The winning team along with the two runner ups will receive an exam certification from Huawei and be awarded prizes in the form of software training. In addition, winners will receive access to CISCO Networking Academy courses, Siyafunda CTC training programmes, and digital devices, Deviera software training certification courses, and accessories from SAP.

The University of Johannesburg’s Technopreneurship Centre

The Technopreneurship Centre aims to address discussions around business, economic, and societal challenges faced in SA industries. Challenges are identified and researched by capable students to reduce or eliminate it from the relevant ecosystems.  

Students create innovative solutions through intelligent software systems, video games, and mobile apps. The centre encourages collaborations between students and industry partners to effectively solve business, economical and societal challenges.

The Pan African Information Communication Technology Centre (PAICTA)

PAICTA is an organisation, established in July 2020 to drive African Small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) into an inclusive ecosystem that supports economic growth in ICT and encourages youth and women-led SMMEs. PAICTA aims to alleviate poverty and create job opportunities through digital innovations.

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Read more: Two SA students win award in global hackathon

Featured image: Alex Kotliarskyi via Unsplash