Hackathon Open Data Challenge took place from 30 November to 3 December 2017 at the premises of the university. Over 400 people registered to the contest.

During two first days, participants of Open Data Challenge took part in master classes and seminars. During these events, experienced mentors shared their knowledge and experience on such topics as teambuilding, data analysis and machine learning basis on Python, methodology of Lean Startup and Customer Development, blockchain, etc. They also learnt about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and used obtained knowledge on development of their projects.

On 2-3 December, the participants developed their projects based on open data, using knowledge and recommendations, received at from trainers and mentors.

Within the Hackathon, 63 teams presented their social (47 projects) and business (16 projects) projects to members of the jury. Each team received a couple of minutes to present their projects.

In line with the jury’s decision, SAVE IT won in the nomination “The best business project based on open data”. Members of the team Nasiba Lutfullaeva, Muhayyo Tashpulatova, Akbarkhon Aminov and Avaz Alimov are students of Inha University in Tashkent.

SAVE IT developed a mobile application and a Telegram-bot. The service allows the user to receive information about discounts on goods with close expiration date. The project will allow stores to sell their products and reduce costs and waste, while the consumers will save money.

Umbrella Soft claimed a victory in the nomination “The best social project based on open data”. Members of the team Ulugbek Tukhtayev, Adizbek Ergashev, Jakhongir Ismailov and Mukhriddin Gayratov are students of Tashkent University of Information Technologies (TUIT).

Umbrella Soft presented a project MyID. The project allows citizens of Uzbekistan to receive some public services and pay utility bills and fines for traffic police. The project also proposes to introduce electronic labor books with the possibility of verification by the employers.

All Eyez On Me won in the nomination “The most innovative project of the Hackaton”. Students of Inha University in Tashkent Anvar Muminov, Turabek Gaibullayev, Behruz Mirtursinov and Javohir Abdukakhhorov presented a hardware complex for face recognition.

The jury also adopted a decision to award the perspective projects of the contest. Members of the team alphaZET, Flyber Entertainment, Diamond Solutions and Tag received special prizes.

First Deputy Minister for Development of Information Technologies and Communication of Uzbekistan Olimjon Umarov, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative for the Republic of Uzbekistan Helena Fraser and Head of Political and Public Diplomacy Section of the British Embassy in Tashkent Jo Beadsworth, as well as rector of Inha University in Tashkent Sarvar Babakhodjaev congratulated the winners and handed over valuable prizes.

The contest is organized by the Ministry for Development of Information Technologies and Communications of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Inha University in Tashkent, the Country Office of the United Nations Development Program in Uzbekistan, the Embassy of Great Britain in Uzbekistan, “Electronic Government” system development Center and the UZINFOCOM Center.

Open Data Challenge Hackathon is organized each year to popularize idea of open data in Uzbekistan and attract additional of developers and public to relatively new knowledge area for Uzbekistan.

Hackathon is directed at creating socially important or innovative apps and services based on open data, available at Open Data Portal (data.gov.uz) and official websites of the state bodies of Uzbekistan, as well as provided by private sector.