Award Ceremony of FOREWARN Disaster Hackathon 2.0
A Triumph of Innovation and Collaboration Led by the Department of Meteorology, University of Dhaka
On October 31, 2024, the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban at the University of Dhaka became a hub of innovation and resilience as the FOREWARN Disaster Hackathon 2.0 concluded with an insightful award ceremony recognizing the most promising disaster resilience ideas. The event was organized collaboratively by the Department of Meteorology, University of Dhaka as the technical partner, in association with FOREWARN Bangladesh, the Department of Disaster Science and Climate Resilience of University of Dhaka, Start Network and Open Mapping Hub Asia Pacific.
FOREWARN Bangladesh, with its mission to strengthen disaster response by uniting academia, forecasting experts, humanitarian organizations, and community stakeholders, has been working closely with the Department of Meteorology, University of Dhaka since its inception. Their technical insights and expertise in weather and disaster science played a pivotal role in shaping this year’s hackathon, providing participants with essential knowledge and guidance to tackle real-world challenges effectively.
The ceremony was graced by Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan, Vice Chancellor of the University of Dhaka, who presided over a distinguished guest panel, including Prof. Dr. Kazi Matin Uddin Ahmed, Dean of the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Dr. Md. Zillur Rahman, Chairman of the Department of Disaster Science and Climate Resilience, University of Dhaka and esteemed guests from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, Bangladesh Water Development Board, Department of Disaster Management, and Institute of Remote Sensing and GIS, Jahangirnagar University. Also, the CEO of Start Network, Cristina Bennet shared her inspiring video message for the participants and respected guests. Highlighting three stages of innovation—Create, Check, and Cultivate—the hackathon brought forth groundbreaking solutions, culminating in a 3-day residential workshop that provided direct mentorship to participants. During the function, the top three teams presented their refined ideas, and accolades were awarded to the top teams, best campus ambassadors, and collaborative partners.
Associate Prof. Dr. Fatima Akter, Chairperson, Department of Meteorology offered a resonant vote of thanks in concluding the event and underscored the transformative role of youth in disaster resilience. As the event drew to a close, it left a strong call to action, inspiring all attendees to further efforts in reducing disaster impact and building a resilient Bangladesh. Winning teams now embark on the next phase of their journey, utilizing open-source platforms and resources to refine their solutions, supported by an online learning module and ongoing mentorship.