Sheraa’s hackathon spurs creativity in sustainability

More than 300 ideas to sustainably tackle food waste were presented by 150 youths recently at the 'Sustainability Hackathon', organised by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), in partnership with the Information & Communication Technology Fund (ICT Fund).

The event was held in line with the UAE celebrating 2023 as the Year of Sustainability ahead of the nation hosting the prestigious COP 28 later this year.

Four teams were selected from the 10 finalist groups that competed in advanced segments of the hackathon meeting experts and receiving mentorship, developing prototypes, and pitching their project to industry leaders.

Taqsim won the top position at the weekend sustainability hackathon. The project prototype transformed waste management into an engaging and rewarding experience while also providing educational resources.

With the Taqsim app, users can track their performance and progress through a dashboard powered by AI technology, allowing them to monitor their waste management efforts.

Najla Al Midfa, CEO of Sheraa, said: “Sustainability is deep-rooted in the heart of our nation, especially this year where we are preparing ourselves to host COP28 and lead the world in tackling global challenges."

Meanwhile, Omar Al Mahmoud, CEO, ICTFUND, said: “The Sustainability Hackathon is part of national comprehensive efforts aimed at creating a future in line with the rapid tech developments. It is also in line with the TDRA'S strategic role in leading digital transformation at the government and national level.”