Ashesi Design Lab, the design thinking and innovation hub of the Ashesi University, today announced the start of Future Learning Virtual Hackathon 2 of 3, the second of three Hackathons to be organized by the Design Lab.

The Future Learning Virtual Hackathon 2 of 3 is an opportunity for designers, students, ed-tech start-ups, schools, and education innovators to identify challenges within the educational environment with the advent of COVID-19 and its restrictions.

The participants would also design and create prototype solutions to enhance the student 'campus life' from the comfort of their homes. The opportunity also offers a new way for the participants to network and learn design-thinking skills.

Background & Rationale

Students leave home to take up a new life on campus with a variety of experiences that influence their personal growth and academic achievements. To that end, universities often endeavour to provide the optimal ‘campus life’ experience for students through a variety of services and programs. The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic affected life in all circles, especially that of students and academic institutions by leading to the temporary closure of academic institutions.

However, for several months now in Ghana and the world over, the educational system has been disrupted with the closure of school campuses due to the pandemic. Most universities moved their classes online providing a varying level of engagement with their students in the online format. For many students, being home is complicated. The life at home and that on campus are different.

At home, there is little privacy and many distractions and chores. They (the students) miss their friends and the student schedule they manage themselves. With September drawing nearer, they dread the reopening of school online, and not on campus. They wonder how they are going to be able to have a ‘campus life’ but from home.



Process

Participation and registration are opened to all from different disciplines to form teams of 3 to a maximum of 5 people with at least one member being resident in Ghana. The Future Learning Hack 2 of 3 is a virtual hackathon. All communication, presentations and ceremonies will be conducted online for the duration of the event.

Rewards

As a competition, there are several benefits for the first 3 winning teams. These include networking opportunities, mentorship and advisory support, a cash prize, and prizes from sponsors.

The Future Learning Virtual Hackathon 2 of 3 is proudly sponsored by Ashesi DSC, Feenix, Ameyaw Debrah, Ashesi Leo Club, Veggies and Grills Restaurant, Doughman foods, Business24 e-newspaper, Ghana Web and Africa Digital Festival.

Further Information

Registration and applications for the Future Learning Virtual Hackathon 2 of 3 will be open from Monday, 27 July 2020 to the 7th of August, 2020. To apply, visit https://bit.ly/dlabhack2

For further information about the Hackathon and more, kindly visit: https://dlabhacks.com

About Ashesi Design Lab: Ashesi Design Lab is the design thinking and problem-solving hub of Ashesi University. Future Learning Virtual Hackathon is a series of three hackathons organized by the Design Lab to tackle the ripple effects of COVID-19 on educational institutions and the learning experience in general.