The Ministry of Public Telecommunications is inviting web designers, software developers, computer programmers, and other interested persons to showcase their talents by participating in its first ‘Hack-a-ton.’
Scheduled for November 4th to 6th, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, the ‘Hack-a-ton’ is the first of its kind, and will be hosted by the Ministry of Public Telecommunications under the theme “Code till yuh drop.”
Speaking at a press conference held at Colgrain House, yesterday morning, Minister of Public Telecommunications Cathy Hughes pointed out that the activity is aimed at harnessing the talents of local Information, Communication Technology (ICT) enthusiasts.
Offering some insight on the concept of the ‘Hack-a-ton,’ the Minister said, “When we hear of the word ‘hack-a-ton’, it plays with our mind, conjuring up international reports from the U.S and Europe, of emails, data bases and data sectors being hacked. But I want you to know that a ‘Hack-a-ton’ and our ‘Hack-a-ton’ is different.”
Also known as a Hack Fest, or a Code Fest, ‘Hack-a-tons’ are ICT marathons for ICT developers to showcase the creative side of ICT development, Hughes explained, adding that such activity encourages both novices and experts to work together to create software applications that provide solutions to real life challenges.
“There are very few limits to what can be achieved when a group of people, in this case energetic, tech savvy young people turn their minds to creating fantastic things. That is what excites me about this ‘Hack-a-ton’; a few real life challenges we face, especially in the social sector, the public and the private sector will be described and thrown out to our participants, and their task will be to develop an ICT based solution to these challenges,” the Minister stated.
She further noted that both her Ministry and Guyanese have a bigger role to play in building the capacity of the country’s ICT sector.
“We have a nation of people of different generations to teach how to better use the technology at their disposal, to better their own lives and to transform our country.
Transformation and economic growth will only take place when we incorporate the use of ICTs, to ensure that Government provides more efficient services to its citizens, especially in the areas of Tele-medicine, E-commerce, and of course, E-Education, all of which continues to be focus areas for the Ministry,” Hughes said.
However, for all this to be possible, the Minister stated that training and knowledge based sessions are necessary, especially in the rural and hinterland communities. In the meantime, she said the Ministry is continuing to install computers and wireless equipment in those areas to establish more ICT hubs.
Nevertheless, she encouraged persons who are interested or have the technological skills, that are interested in innovating and creating with the use of technology to consider signing up for the ‘Hack-a-ton’.
“Our people, the young and the not so young people can learn and earn, establish new businesses, create linkages in and out of Guyana, and ultimately contribute to the drive to digitize our nation. I look forward to encouraging persons who take up the challenge, and register for this ‘Hack-a-ton’,” Hughes said.
Meanwhile, Ministerial Advisor Lance Hinds, described the event as one where developers, programmers, database designers come together as teams and compete to develop a particular product.
In offering more details, he explained that the activity allows for teams comprising a maximum of four persons ranging in age between 18 years to 37 years, to develop innovative solutions to a specific challenge presented by a team of ICT experts who will also serve as judges for the event.
He went on to say that the teams will not be privy to the specifics of the challenge until at least one hour before the competition commences.
“They will not know what they will be asked to create until probably an hour before the starting time. It could be anything, you name it, but we will be sitting down tomorrow to decide on the challenge,” Hinds said.
The teams, will have 48 hours of non-stop work, beginning from noon on Friday, November 4, and ending at noon on Sunday, November 6. However, one of the requirements Hinds said is that all work must be done at the Conference Centre.
Once the allotted time has passed, the teams will be asked to formally present their end product to the panel of judges, who will then evaluate the solutions before eventually selecting a winner. According to Hinds, the winning team will receive a cash prize of $300,000, while the second and third place winners will receive $200,000, and $150,000 respectively.
In response to queries made about the feedback thus far, Hinds was pleased to announce that the Ministry has received expressions of interests from locals, as well as others from neighbouring Suriname.
He further encouraged interested persons to register since the Ministry is also keen on using the event as a “jump start”, adding that 2017 will see the hosting of more events of this kind.
“One of the things the Ministry would like to do is get a feel of the talents that are out there; part of that mission is to harness that talent and get them to point where they become business owners and entrepreneurs, all those things are part of the exercise,” Hinds added.
Further, the event will be streamed live, to allow the diaspora the opportunity to have some insight into what is taking place here in Guyana, and heighten the interest of potential investors.
Hughes also took the opportunity to express her gratitude on behalf of the Ministry to the Guyana Telephone Telegraph Company (GTT), for sponsoring the event
Those interested in participating in the event are asked to register as soon as possible, as spaces are limited. For the Registration Form, Terms of Participation and other information, persons as asked to email the Ministry at events@mopt.gov.gy.
The deadline for submissions is Friday, October 28.
