Thussitha Jegatheesan | Undergraduate | Uva Wellassa University

“Hackathons are where crazy ideas become reality”. Hackathons also go by the name code-fest, which is a social competition including a coding event that unites computer programmers and other inquisitive people together to improve solutions for given predicaments. Such was Codify v1.0, an Algorithm Mini – Hackathon organized by the IEEE Uva Wellassa University Student Branch. This was an initiative for the IEEE Xtreme 15.0 Competition, which is a widespread International Hackathon. This event also was observed as the conclusion event for IEEE Day Celebrations 2021.

Codify v1.0, this Mini Algorithm Hackathon expected to be a guide to the Xtreme 15.0 Competition, was held on the 15th of October 2021 from 4 PM. It nourished the knowledge of the UWU Undergraduates and served as a platform to proceed solutions on time for the given Queries and also to utilize various Programming Languages and Concepts learned theoretically, especially the OOP Concepts in which the results would turn into a progressive one to remark a better experience for everyone who takes part in the International Hackathon. As this was a Team event, there were around 200+ Participants, with 75+ Teams. The Questions were organized with three difficulty levels, Easy, Medium, and Hard. They were organized corresponding to the levels. This occasion gave the participants a scope to attempt coding on various platforms like HackerRank, CSAcademy, etc. As the objective of this Hackathon was to Minimize struggles during Xtreme 15.0 it was achieved within a short period of time with the support of Enthusiastic and Emerging Committee Members and with the advice of the Head of the Department of Computer Science and Informatics along with other Lecturers and Technical Assistors. As this was an Online paced Hackathon, the Committee had arranged an Introductory Session to make participants aware of the session and how this Hackathon works. Flyers were advertised on Social Media Platforms to make the participants aware and also to make them enthusiastic on the day of this Hackathon. The participants were kept untiring by playing soothing music in the background. As Music helps to increase Self-Confidence and Expand their Minds. To encourage the Undergraduates to participate, it was planned to award Monetary Prices and exciting Swag Packs to the Winners.

This event also was made a successful one by the Sponsorship and assistance of CResuma, Online Resume Maker. This website helps to create Professional Resumes with different and perfect formats within 10 minutes to inspire recruiters!

This was a 3 – Hour Hackathon which was proceeded until 7 PM with an Ice breaker event after the Questions were over. The Participants had to engage themselves in a Mini-Game where they had to solve an interesting puzzle and decode a keyword to find the name of a Hidden Executive Member of IEEE UWU SB until the winners were chosen. This was an aid to sharpen quick thinking and decision-making skills in splits of seconds. The Runners Up, First, and Second Runners Up were Officially Revealed and they were endowed with Monetary Prizes screening their photographs on the Online Platform. IEEE SB of UWU celebrates the success of this event by appraising the participants and winners.

We hope to pilot similar events in the near future to showcase the coding talents and improve the thinking skills of Undergraduates all over the country to engage themselves in reputed Hackathons and upgrade their personalities. We also hope to serve the best through our Community and Promote more!