HACKATHON FAQs

What is the New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) Hackathon?

The 11th annual NYUAD International Hackathon for Social Good is a three-day programming marathon focusing on one of the most promising technologies of our time, Quantum Computing (QC). We will form cross-disciplinary global teams (5 students per team) building solutions to challenging problems we are facing today using Quantum Computing technologies. The NYUAD Hackathon participants will learn about quantum computing and use quantum-based technologies, while developing their own solutions and working in cross-disciplinary and diverse global teams. This special Hackathon will be supported by top global Quantum Computing experts from both industry and academia such as Astrazeneca, Google, IBM, Microsoft, The NYU’s Center for Quantum Phenomena (CQP), NYUAD, Johannes Kepler University Linz, and many others to mentor teams, and explore along with the students quantum computing solutions to a wide range of challenging projects from machine learning and AI, to physics (complex simulation problems), chemistry, computer science, healthcare, math, to online gaming, security, social sciences and the arts (quantum-generated artwork). Participants will have the opportunity to use quantum computing software and run programs on real quantum hardware!

When and where will the NYUAD Hackathon take place?

The NYUAD Hackathon is a 3-day event that will be held in person at NYUAD’s Conference Center from April 27, 2023 to April 30, 2023 (Arriving April 26, 2023 and leaving May 1, 2023).  Please note that we will hold required online intensive workshops and talks on Quantum Computing throughout April, prior to the hackathon. All active sessions will take place at 8PM UAE time. Kindly note that you will also be required to complete a full month virtual course curated by QWorld and tailored specifically to the NYUAD hackathon. The course will be self-paced and will take place in March.

For more details on the event’s program, please visit this website.

Do I have to pay to participate in the NYUAD Hackathon?

No, NYUAD plans to arrange and cover the cost of visa, travel (economy ticket), food, hotel (2 people per room), and transportation.

Who can participate in the NYUAD Hackathon and how to apply?

Students
The NYUAD Hackathon is open to all excellent students (undergraduate, and graduate including PhD students) from top universities around the world with a 3.5 GPA or higher (excellent grades), and strong leadership, Hackathon, research, communication, and technical applied skills .

Student’s Nomination
In order to nominate students for the NYUAD Hackathon scholarship, a faculty member must fill out this form in its entirety (for a maximum of one student per university and one waiting list student, allowing us to include more universities). Please do NOT nominate students who have participated in previous NYUAD Hackathons.

*Please note that UAE Universities can nominate up to 8 students (ranked from 1 to 8) and NYUAD faculty can nominate several students including students who participated in prior hackathons.

Mentor’s Nomination
Mentors can nominate themselves using this form. The ideal mentor is someone with extensive experience in Quantum Computing and who also won or guided a team during Hackathons or research or competitions. Mentors MUST be proficient in Quantum Computing related to any field from the sciences to healthcare to the arts. We are also looking for CS mentors who are exceptional in any of these topics such as AI, machine learning, Healthtech, online gaming, NLP, security, crypto, web, mobile and hackathon skills. You could have guided a team in research, hackathons, or workshops/courses in any theme related to Quantum Computing or any of the topics mentioned above.

When will registration close and when will we know if we have been selected?

Deadline to submit applications is February 15, 2023. This is an absolute deadline so we can obtain visas for all of the Hackathon attendees. We expect to have the nomination results by March 1, 2023.

How can I prepare for the NYUAD Hackathon?

We will offer online intensive workshops and talks throughout April to provide all participants with a basic introduction to quantum computing and how to use quantum software and hardware. We also require that you complete a self-paced online course during March, prior to the hackathon. Details of the course will be communicated to all participants. CS and Science students MUST have strong knowledge of Python. CS students must also have strong skills in web applications and developing mobile apps. You can begin to prepare by researching QC related themes and applications. You can also research ideas/applications from previous QC Hackathons.

What programming languages will be used?

We will focus on Python and Qiskit. But, we will allow the use of Ocean and others as well.

How will the teams be formed?

Teams must have 5 members (diversified members from different countries and genders). Official teams will be formed at the event or prior to the event in March. We will provide information on team formation at the end of February.

How can companies/academic institutions and so on be involved?

We are now excited to grow the NYUAD Hackathon into a network spanning institutions of higher education from across the world, as well as industry partners. We are interested in institutions that will be able to provide mentors with experience in Quantum Computing related to any field from the sciences to the Arts. We also look for these institutions/departments/companies to identify challenges that participants can work on during the hackathon. The challenges have to be solvable in three days suitable for a hackathon tech challenge. The mentors can manage and help lead a team during the hackathons. So, if your company/academic institution would be interested in community sponsorship or partnering and be affiliated with this event by nominating students, identifying challenges for the hackathon, providing mentors with excellent experience in QC, or sponsoring this event in anyway (such as sponsoring travel for mentors or students, sponsoring food for the event or a reception, or accommodation or any other way), please fill out this form, and we will get back to you with more details and answer all your questions.

Who is hosting the NYUAD Hackathon?

The NYUAD Hackathon is sponsored by NYUAD and organized by Professor Sana Odeh, an affiliated Faculty, NYU Abu Dhabi, Faculty Liaison for Global Programs of Computer Science, and Clinical Professor of Computer Science, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, New York. The event is also supported by top global Quantum Computing experts from both industry and academia such as Astrazeneca, Google, IBM, Microsoft, the NYU’s Center for Quantum Phenomena (CQP), NYUAD, Johannes Kepler University Linz, and many others to mentor teams, and explore along with the students quantum computing solutions to a wide range of challenging projects from machine learning and AI, to physics (complex simulation problems), chemistry, computer science, Healthcare, Math, to online gaming, security, social sciences and the arts (quantum-generated artwork). For more information, please send an email to nyuad.hackathon@nyu.edu or visit sites.nyuad.nyu.edu/hackathon.

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For questions or comments, please email us at nyuad.hackathon@nyu.edu.

If you are a member of the media and have a query about the Hackathon, please contact Public Affairs at nyuad.public.affairs@nyu.edu