Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has officially launched the third annual South African edition of its innovative hackathon, TCS Sustainathon. This initiative encourages young individuals to harness technology to address pressing real-world problems, focusing on sustainability and innovation. The hackathon is a vital platform for empowering youth to develop creative solutions that can lead to a more sustainable future.
The TCS Sustainathon is a global competition designed to inspire young minds to tackle social, economic, and environmental challenges. By engaging with various stakeholders, including private businesses, non-profit organizations, and government agencies, participants have the opportunity to collaborate on significant sustainability issues. This year, the hackathon challenges participants to devise solutions for the theme of ‘clean and affordable energy,’ highlighting the importance of innovative energy solutions in today’s world.
Entries for the TCS Sustainathon South Africa opened on September 20 and will remain open until October 25. The competition invites teams consisting of students, postgraduates, and recent graduates to submit their online proposals. From these entries, ten teams will be shortlisted to pitch their ideas at the grand finale, providing a unique opportunity for participants to showcase their creativity and problem-solving skills.
In addition to gaining valuable experience and exposure, the winning team will receive a cash prize of R35,000, while the second and third places will win R25,000 and R15,000, respectively. Notably, all prize-winning teams will also have the chance to intern with TCS, allowing them to gain practical experience in the tech industry and further develop their skills.
Langa Dube, TCS regional director for South Africa and Rest of Africa, emphasized the country’s exceptional capacity for innovation, particularly among its youth. He stated that young people are a vital source of transformative power and that TCS aims to tap into this potential through the Sustainathon. By creating a space for them to address real-life environmental challenges, TCS fosters an environment of policy, design, and innovation.
The TCS Sustainathon represents a significant step toward empowering the youth of South Africa to contribute to sustainable development. By combining technology and innovation, TCS aims to inspire the next generation of leaders and change-makers to address the critical challenges facing the world today.
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