Data Science Hackathon Programme (DSHP):

1. Overview

The Data Science Hackathon Programme (DSHP) is Hack4dev’s flagship initiative to accelerate skills development and innovation through collaborative, intense short-time events. Designed for broader impact and global participation, the programme combines structured training with real-world problem-solving in a two-stage format

2. Objective

The main objective of the DSHP is to “Use and Develop Data Science Skills to Address Global Data Science Challenges”. The programme is designed to recruit participants who will work on pressing global challenges that demand data-driven solutions, allowing them to apply and strengthen their data science capabilities.

3. Programme Design: Two Stages

Stage 1: Organisers Hackathon (OH)

A four-day event that prepares regional organisers by giving them first-hand experience with the challenge they’ll later facilitate. It covers both logistical and technical aspects of running a data science hackathon.

Day 1: Introductions, programme overview, logistics and coordination planning, and a walkthrough of the shared Data Science Challenge.
Days 2–4: Organisers take part in a full hackathon experience, working in teams on the same challenge that participants will tackle. This helps them understand the pace, structure, and expectations of the event.

Stage 2: Regional Hackathons (RH)

Organisers then run local hackathons at their own institutions, all centred on the same challenge. This enables global participation and cross-comparison of results.