CIU Brings Together Young Developers at Hackathon
Cyprus International University (CIU) once again placed itself at the heart of technology and creativity with the second edition of its Hackathon event, open to all universities in Northern Cyprus. Organized in collaboration between the School of Applied Sciences and the Software Development Office, the event brought together young enthusiasts of software development and innovation, transforming their imagination into lines of code in this intense marathon.
The Hackathon was not just a software competition; it was a comprehensive technology gathering that emphasized teamwork, creative problem-solving, user experience (UX) design, and technical implementation skills. Held under the motto “Turn Your Idea into Code,” the event featured 15 teams and 45 participants competing to transform their ideas into innovative projects.
The judging panel, which included Assist. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Babagil, Assist. Prof. Dr. Moein Jazayeri, and software expert Anıl Eyupoğlu, evaluated the projects based on multifaceted criteria such as problem definition, technical competency, user interface and design, feasibility, creative approach, and team dynamics.
CIU Rector Prof. Dr. Halil Nadiri congratulated the winning teams and presented the awards and certificates of achievement to the first-place team, Hacknetic. Prof. Dr. Nadiri emphasized that such events not only enhance students' technological competencies but also foster an entrepreneurial culture.
Director of the School of Applied Sciences, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Damla Karagözlü, shared her thoughts on the event: “As CIU, we are very pleased that this organization, which we have organized together with our Software Development Office, has become a unique platform where our students transform their creative ideas into tangible software projects. This year, with applications from seven different universities, our Hackathon family has grown even larger. All teams worked intensively throughout the day, showcasing their technical skills and team spirit.”
Karagözlü also underlined that the Hackathon is not just a competition; it is a learning environment where ideas take root, interdisciplinary collaborations are formed, and students gain self-confidence. She added “I sincerely thank all our students, mentors, and jury members who shared this excitement with us.”