The NYUAD International Hackathon for Social Good in the Arab World 2011 is launching this fall, from October 27 – Sunday, October 30, 2011, at the New York University Abu Dhabi (NYU AD) Downtown Campus (DTC), Abu Dhabi.

A hackathon is a gathering of software developers to build software applications (unfinished) during 24 hours or several days. Our 3-day event is a collaboration aimed at bringing together computer science students, academics, and technology experts, from around the Arab World, US and Europe to foster a culture of innovation, collaboration and entrepreneurship in computer science.

This inaugural event will take place from October 28-30 at the NYU Abu Dhabi Downtown Campus. Small teams of students, headed by a team leader drawn from accomplished representatives from regional and international startups, academics, professional developers, will compete by creating mobile and web application dedicated to the social good in the Arab World. On the final evening, teams will present their application before a panel of distinguished judges and guests.

Goal
The goal of the NYU AD Hackathon is to promote collaboration and innovation in computer science, entrepreneurship, and the development of solution-based technology for the social good. This event will provide an opportunity for students in the Arab world to explore and experience the full cycle of creating a tech startup (sharing knowledge, generating ideas, pitching ideas, learning new platforms and new programming languages, designing and developing mobile and web applications, collaboration and team work). Aside from learning top practices in software development, students will also get a rare opportunity to be mentored by top academic and technology experts, founders of successful startups and interact with international and regional venture capitalists.

Participants
We will cover accommodation, food, and airfare (if applicable) for invited participants (students and team leaders). Computer Science departments will be invited to nominate and submit an online applications for their students to be admitted into the 2011 NYUAD Hackathan.

Program
The event begins with technical workshops on the latest emerging technologies for developing mobile and web applications on Friday during the day, then open mic pitches for ideas and teams selections on Friday evening. On Saturday and Sunday teams develop their applications. On Sunday evening teams present their applications to a panel of experts during a public event.

Apply

To nominate a student for the NYUAD Hackathon 2011, please complete a Nomination Form.

To attended as mentor, team leader or speaker, please complete a Mentor/Team Leader/ Speaker Form.

We hope to see you and your students in Abu Dhabi in October. If you have any question please email us at nyuad.hackathon@nyu.edu.