An Uber-type web-based platform for tutorials developed by a team of students from the University of San Carlos (USC) has won the initial stage of the first-ever hackathon organized by the Union Bank of the Philippines.
The winning team from the University of San Carlos[/caption]
The event, U:HAC or UnionBank Hackathon and Convention, was held in Cebu City during the weekend of August 6 and 7. It was organized in partnership with A Space Cebu, PLDT Innolab and IP Converge.
The event, which drew a total of 30 teams, was graced by senior UnionBank executives Eugene Acevedo, Paolo Baltao, and Michelle Rubio.
The contest sought to challenge participants to create solutions to address problems on education, unemployment, banking in the future, pollution, climate change, healthcare, poverty, community building, disaster resilience and building sustainability.
With just their laptops and creative juices, as well as s strong internet connection, they did an all-nighter to develop their digital solutions and coding to the challenges.
The next day, all teams pitched their projects to the UnionBank judges and mentors. Based on the criteria of novelty, product creativity, functionality and impact to customers, the top 10 were selected. The top 10 teams again presented their projects. And from that select group, the champion was crowned.
The project “LaurelEye” developed by Team LaurelEye composed of USC students, was declared first placer for developing an Uber-type web-based platform for tutorials. The project helps individuals find other individuals who are willing to educate them in various topics that both interest them such as arts, culture, academic subjects, etc.
The team received P50,000, a trophy and cloud credit from IP Converge.
The project CitySiren, developed by the group HatchITSolutions, won a special prize. Their web application uses data mining and data analytics to inform local government units and businesses on the issues that the public are facing everyday. The team received a cash prize of P30,000.
The event was also meant to showcase that UnionBank is now integrating digital solutions in its operations as it transforms itself in becoming a digital bank in the Philippine
U:HAC’s next leg will be held on August 27-28 at the Megatrade Hall of SM Megamall. For more details, visitors may check www.uhacph.com or facebook.com/UHac2016.
