Hackathons provide an opportunity for students to test their skills in collaborative, fast-paced environments while working on practical challenges. Bringing together participants from different backgrounds and disciplines, these events encourage teamwork, problem-solving, and the development of new ideas within a limited timeframe.
One recent example comes from the EuroTech Hong Kong Hackathon, where Rylee Liao from Aalto University participated after being selected for a competitive travel grant. The event brought together more than 400+ participants and around 100 teams working on challenges related to Robotics & AI, Smart Cities, Fintech, and HealthTech.
During the hackathon, Rylee and her team developed S(age), a system designed to help families stay informed about the well-being of elderly relatives remotely. The concept focuses on providing timely notifications when health begins to decline or when a fall occurs, while maintaining privacy and security without relying on wearables or complicated technology.
The project demonstrates how hackathons can create space for participants to move quickly from an idea to a functioning concept. Working within multidisciplinary teams encourages participants to combine technical knowledge with creativity and practical problem-solving, often resulting in solutions that address real-world needs.
As part of her participation, Rylee also introduced ARISE to other attendees, highlighting how the program supports learners in developing advanced digital skills in Human–Computer Interaction, Design, and Extended Reality.
This connection between education and practical application is an important aspect of ARISE. The program focuses on preparing learners to engage with emerging technologies while developing the skills needed to work across disciplines, collaborate with others, and contribute to innovation-driven environments.
For partners such as 28DIGITAL and Evolutionary Archetypes Consulting SL, stories like this demonstrate how educational opportunities can extend beyond the classroom, allowing learners to apply their knowledge in international settings and gain experience working on challenges that have practical relevance.
Learn more about ARISE: https://28digital.eu/eu-collaborations/arise
Project Number: 101225600 — ARISE — DIGITAL-2024-ADVANCED-DIGITAL-07-KEYCAPACITY
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HADEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
