42 in Asia: Bridging Innovation and Collaboration Across Borders
In a move to foster collaboration and strengthen ties across Asian campuses, 42 in Asia kicked off its inaugural hackathon on 23 September, 2024 in Seoul. Co-organized by 42 Seoul and 42 Singapore, the event brought together students from 42 Seoul, 42 Singapore, 42 Tokyo, 42 Bangkok, 42 Kuala Lumpur, and 42 Amman. This marked the start of a brand-new initiative aimed at connecting 42 campuses across the region.
2024 Hackathon by 42 in Asia: Bringing Campuses Together
This first-of-its-kind hackathon saw five students from each participating campus travel to Seoul for this exciting challenge. Running from September 23rd to 25th, 2024, teams participated in a 42-hour intercampus hackathon, tackling a sustainability-focused problem statement provided by foodpanda. The challenge: “Innovate in the field of sustainable delivery by designing solutions that reduce the carbon footprint of food delivery.”
The unique twist? The away teams had to collaborate with their remote home teams, working seamlessly across digital platforms like Slack and Discord to split the workload and brainstorm innovative ideas. This fusion of cross-border teamwork heightened the principles of collaboration and peer-learning that 42 is all about, as they worked together to solve real-world problems.
After 42 hours of intense coding, planning, and problem-solving, the team from 42 Bangkok emerged victorious, securing first place as well as the title of the best home team. Their innovative approach to sustainable delivery set them apart from the competition. 42 Singapore followed closely, securing second place with their impressive solution.
A Taste of Seoul: Cultural Exploration and Networking
Throughout the week, participants had the chance to take a break from the intense competition with a cultural excursion to the Blue House, the former presidential residence of South Korea and one of the city’s major landmarks. The tour provided a relaxing opportunity to explore Seoul’s rich history and bond with peers from other campuses. Additionally, students were able to independently explore Korea, immersing themselves in the local food and culture with the warm assistance of 42 Seoul students and volunteers.
Strengthening the Community of 42 Campuses in Asia
The hackathon didn’t end there. Teams were remixed for a second, 24-hour hackathon, designed to foster deeper collaboration and help the students reflect on the challenges within their own campus life. This gave them the opportunity to develop solutions that could enhance community, encouraging ongoing dialogue and innovation.
Beyond the technical achievements, the event became a platform for idea exchange and cultural interaction. Students shared stories about their daily challenges, discussed ways to enhance community, and exchanged thoughtfully selected gifts as tokens of appreciation.These moments further strengthened the bonds of friendship and collaboration across borders. The hackathon exemplified the mission of 42 in Asia: to connect and collaborate. By bringing together the brightest minds from different campuses, the event has sparked a movement of innovation and cross-campus unity that will continue to shape the future of 42 in Asia.
