Last Updated on by ICT Byte
The second edition of the NASA Space Apps Kathmandu Hackathon was nothing short of amazing! Held on October 5-6, 2024, at the Advance College of Engineering and Management (ACEM), this event brought together over 100 enthusiastic participants for a thrilling 36-hour residential hackathon, organized by the Nepal Research and Collaboration Center (NRCC). Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, space lover, or just someone who enjoys solving big challenges, this event had something for everyone.
A Hackathon Open to Everyone!
What made this hackathon special was its focus on inclusivity and creativity. No matter your background, everyone was welcome to join. And to make it even better, every team had to include at least one female participant, ensuring women had a strong presence in the world of tech and space science. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement as participants tackled challenges related to app development, game design, data visualization, and even GIS mapping!
Teamwork and Big Ideas
For 36 hours straight, the teams brainstormed, coded, and designed their way through real-world problems related to space science. With support from experts and mentors, the participants worked tirelessly to bring their creative solutions to life. In between the intense coding sessions, there were plenty of fun activities, food breaks, and even midnight snacks to keep everyone energized.
And the best part? All of this was free of cost—no registration fees, just pure passion and innovation!
The People Behind the Event
A huge part of the success came from the wonderful organizers and partners who made it all possible. The event was a collaboration between NRCC and ACEM, with a fantastic group of community partners, mentors, and media outlets helping out. Some key figures included:
- Swastika Yogi (Co-founder, Local Lead)
- Bijay Adhikari (IT-Head, Local Lead)
- Mission Shrestha and Om Bishnu Chaudhary (Executive Members)
The support from tech communities like Dev Community Nepal and SEDS Pulchowk, along with mentorship from organizations like NAAMII and ICIMOD, helped participants refine their ideas and push their projects forward.
Bringing Ideas to Life
The hackathon officially kicked off with a grand opening ceremony, and from there, it was 36 hours of non-stop innovation. By the end of the event, 21 teams had worked on projects ranging from space exploration solutions to e-learning platforms. There was an impressive display of dedication, creativity, and teamwork.
As the hackathon wrapped up, Dr. Prof. Sudan Jha, a Senior IEEE Member, delivered a closing speech, praising the participants for their hard work and out-of-the-box thinking. Certificates were handed out to everyone as a token of appreciation.
What’s Next?
Now, the spotlight turns to the global stage. Some of the teams from Kathmandu will represent Nepal internationally, with a chance to be among the 10 global finalists invited to NASA. We’re eagerly waiting to see which teams will make it!
All in all, NASA Space Apps Kathmandu 2024 was a huge success, filled with learning, fun, and collaboration. We can’t wait to see what’s next for these brilliant minds as they continue their journey toward space innovation.
For more details on future events or to stay updated, visit nrccnepal.org or contact info@nrcc.org.np. Keep dreaming big—because in space, there are no limits!
