The annual hackathon and technology conference, Hacklab begins on Friday, 6th April till the 8th April, at the College of Science in Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana.
Every year since 2016, the Hacklab Foundation picks a theme based on trending issues in technology that need addressing from grassroots engagement as they are the relevant stakeholders at every high-level decision made at the government and corporate level.
The theme for Hacklab 2018 is “Building 4th Industrial Cities, Are We Ready?”
The world has been in transition since the stone age. As new discoveries are made, high-tech applications and tools emerge to erode old ways of doing things. The 2nd and 3rd Industrial Revolution caused catastrophe to some while benefiting heavily those who prepared to embrace it. As the world enters the new transition into the 4th Industrial Revolution, fear rambles in all debates about how many jobs will be lost, how many cultures will be dented, and most of all, how human values will be preserved.
Africa continues to grow, but with fewer job opportunities contrasting population growth and several basic issues like poverty and poor access to education. It leaves us to ponder over whether Africa will be left behind in this revolution or stand a chance to leapfrog into this journey with the rest of the world.
Expert skills are critical to enduring in the 4th Industrial Revolution. The primary goal of HACKLAB 2018 is to set the conversation amongst all relevant stakeholders, to identify and develop solutions to address local problems adapting new technologies like Artificial intelligence, Blockchain technologies, Internet of Things, Robotics, etc. while building an army of local experts who would help close the skills gap and create jobs for the new-era citizens.
Through the Hacklab Foundation’s community approach to driving conversation with all stakeholders in various subject matters, the event will be preceded by a panel discussion to explore possible solution to addressing problems identified, after which the event is capped with the hackathon engaging over 300 participants from over 12 participating institutions to develop tech-enabled solutions to the problems identified.
A total of over GHC8000.00 cash prizes to be won including internships, job opportunities and investment opportunities to scale solutions that emerge from the hackathon challenge.
The Hacklab Foundationis a non-for-profit organization, established since September 2015 in Ghana, focused on preparing the youth for future jobs, by helping them develop their skills, connecting them to industry and breeding entrepreneurs who create jobs for others. Read more: www.hacklabgh.org
Participating schools include Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi Technical University, Ho Technical University, Ghana Telecommunication University College, Christian Service University, University of Development Studies, Garden City University, Kessben University College, University of Ghana, Wisconsin International University College, Pentecost University College, Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology, Ghana and many more.
Hacklab 2018 is sponsored by Stanbic Bank Ghana as the title sponsor, Vodafone Ghana, Certified Ghana, Invent Electronics and supported by the DreamOval Foundation, Internships Ghana, Global Shapers Community Kumasi Hub, College of Science-KNUST and the Computer Science Society-KNUST, Student Representative Council-KNUST.
Follow Hacklab 2018 with the hashtag #hacklab2018 live on:
Facebook: facebook.com/hacklabgh
Twitter: twitter.com/hacklabgh
Instagram: Instagram.com/hacklabgh
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