JEDDAH: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is set to host developers and designers, over half of whom will be female, at its first SAP Mobile Hackathon event, to create mobile apps for smart cities.
The Hackathon, which will run from Feb. 7 to 9, is part of a partnership between German software firm SAP SE, and several university departments, including KAUST Innovation and Economic Development and the KAUST Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Science and Engineering division.
“KAUST is committed to being a hub for innovation, attracting talent to find solutions to shared global challenges,” said Dr. Kevin Cullen, vice president of KAUST Innovation and Economic Development. “The SAP Mobile Hackathon is a great way to collaborate and develop infrastructure for smart cities of the future.”
The first Hackathon will bring together 38 designers and developers, 55 percent of whom are women, to create mobile applications for iOS and Android devices, using SAP technology. An expert jury will select the best performing team and evaluate the benefits its mobile app will have.
“The Hackathon is a great opportunity, as it brings state-of-the-art technology in the context of fast-paced problem solving,” said Dr. Mootaz El-Nozahy, dean of the KAUST Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Science and Engineering division.
