In view of the challenges brought along with the outbreak of COVID-19, Department of Computer Science, School of Communication and Centre for Innovative Service-Learning, HKBU, University of Perugia in Italy and National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan jointly organized COVID-19 Virtual Hack & Design Challenge (COVID19 VHack), the first global student Hack in Hong Kong, held on 24-26 April 2020.
COVID19 VHack attracted over 110 participants from 16 regions including Estonia, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mainland China, Malaysia, Peru, Philippine, Romania, South Korea, and Taiwan. They formed into 17 teams, each team with diversity in expertise and regions. A total of 38 experts from different industries such as medical doctors, IT managers and entrepreneurs joined the event as mentors, facilitators and judges. In addition, the event was supported by over 10 partners and sponsored by Information Technology Office, HKBU.
Guided by mentors and facilitators, participants of COVID19 VHack designed innovative solutions to address the current COVID-19 crisis, plan ahead with three themes: "During COVID-19", "After COVID-19", and "The Next Pandemic" in a 48-hour time span and bring positive value and impact to the community in innovative ways. They communicated remotely across different time zones, collaborated in a team with a multi-disciplinary and multicultural setting via innovative online collaboration tools. Teams also enjoyed numerous virtual social activities, such as dancing, coffee, sharing food and dishes, gaming, sharing window views, and even celebrating birthdays.
Team 5 “Five Fingers” won the Championship as well as the special award “Best Technology and Business Management Innovation Award”. They developed an app to help tech-savvy to understand the risks level of going out, providing the safest recommendation and emotional support with an AI-enabled bot. The champion team was formed by 6 talents from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan, including one Computer Science MSc student from HKBU, Sam Fusheng Guo.
“I feel proud to come up with solution to most critical problems during this pandemic. Being a responsible global citizen, I was honored to give my knowledge for the Earth, for betterment of Human.” shared by Anmol DHAWAN, one member of the 3rd Prize team, Bachelor student in Computer Science, HKBU.
“I was really surprised how an online hackathon turned out to be so lively, fun and warming. Remote collaboration with teammates in different parts of the world is a totally brand new experience, but yet all of us were able to work together efficiently, thanks to the advanced collaboration tools” shared by Eric CHANG, one member of the Champion team.
“We have nurtured over 110 exceptionally talented youngsters who are passionate about making positive changes to our community. They combined technology with humanities, work in global teams, learn to learn, care for others, etc. All these are future skills of the 21st century. The seeds planted will grow in their heart. When they graduate, they will continue to serve as a global citizen.” Mentioned by Ms. Cindy Chan, Director of the Centre for Innovative Service-Learning, HKBU.
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here to visit the event website for students’ Project Gallery and more details.
For HKBU News related to COVID19 VHack, please click
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