Ajman Digital Government confirmed its active participation in the UAE Hackathon, organized by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) under the theme "Data for Happiness", which is held in six stages across the seven emirates. This was confirmed by H.E. Ohood Al Shuhail, Director General of Ajman Digital Government.
Ajman's support to the Hackathon is represented by hosting two phases of the event by Ajman University. The first is Ajman Hackathon, and the second is Al Fujairah Hackathon, through Ajman University, Al Fujairah Branch. Ajman Digital Government has also been involved in encouraging government entities to engage their employees as contestants, supervisors, and volunteers.
"We consider the UAE Hackathon experience as a representation of the UAE wise leadership directives, demonstrated by the need to work as one team to create a brighter future for the UAE in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Artificial Intelligence," said H.E. Al Shuhail. "We are aware of the importance of data at this stage of major transformations. Thus, the UAE Hackathon will be a great opportunity for training, skills acquisition and innovation-based interaction to serve the UAE in the proposed fields of the competition."
H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, TRA Director General, said partnership between the different sectors is one of the most important outcomes of the UAE Hackathon, organized by TRA under the theme "Data for Happiness", in partnership with local governments, universities and private sector.
H.E. Al Mansoori praised the great enthusiasm expressed by the various entities for the Hackathon, which was reflected through providing data, encouraging students, employees and community members to actively participate in the Hackathon, as well as providing training, supervision, volunteering services, facilities and venues to host the Hackathon throughout the six stages in the emirates.
"We would like to express our gratitude and appreciation for the response we have witnessed from government entities, national universities and private sector partners," said H.E. Al Mansoori. "The next phase of government policy requires working hand in hand, in a creative spirit to achieve the sustainable development we aspire to in the post-oil era. It is an era that depends on digital knowledge, economic vitality and high competitiveness of our country, in order to remain in the leading global position."
H.E. Al Mansoori said the experience of the UAE Hackathon 2018 is rich with new concepts, and full of lessons for the various parties. He emphasized that this will be the last Hackathon but will be followed by other Hackathons that deal with new challenges inspired by the emerging facts of each stage. This year, the UAE Hackathon poses eight challenges: health, education, environment, gender balance, social relations, lifestyle, transportation and traffic congestion.
Through each of these challenges, contestants will analyze relevant data systems. The contestants will be divided into five-person teams and will work over three days to reach innovative solutions, ideas and applications that help in solving these challenges.
The teams who reach distinguished solutions will receive awards as well as rewards in cash and in kind. The best solutions will be presented on national occasions including the International Day of Happiness, which is celebrated throughout the world on the 20th of March, and will be presented at important international conference and forums.