International Space Apps Challenge: Hackathon Kathmandu 2015

Date 11 Apr 2015 to 12 Apr 2015
Venue The Royal Event Pvt. Ltd., Tinkune, Kathmandu
Contact Persons Sebastian Wesselman
Type Workshops
Programmes MENRIS

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and YoungInnovations are pleased to announce the International Space Apps Challenge to be held on 11- 12 April 2015. This is the third time the two organizations are jointly organizing the 48-hour hackathon in Kathmandu. The event this year is supported by the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC), Women Leaders in Technology (WLIT), Karkhana, CSIT Association of Nepal (CSITAN), and Robotics Association of Nepal (RAN).  

ICIMOD is organizing this event through its SERVIR-Himalaya initiative. SERVIR connects space to villages by generating geospatial information, including Earth observation data from satellites, geographic information systems, and predictive models useful to developing countries. SERVIR is a joint development initiative of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), working in partnership with leading regional organizations around the globe. SERVIR helps those most in need of tools for managing climate risks and land use. SERVIR’s activities in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region are implemented by ICIMOD under the flagship of SERVIR-Himalaya. 

The International Space Apps Challenge is an international mass collaboration focused on space exploration that takes place over 48 hours in cities around the world. The event embraces collaborative problem solving with a goal of producing relevant open-source solutions to address global needs applicable to both life on Earth and life in space. This year there are over 25 challenges in four areas: Earth, Outer Space, Humans, and Robotics. NASA is leading this global collaboration along with a number of government collaborators and over 100 local organizing teams across the globe.

People with a wide range of expertise are welcomed to participate in the event. They may include engineers, technologists, scientists, designers, artists, educators, students, entrepreneurs, or anyone committed to making a positive contribution to the world. The event will help build the capacity of youth tech community of Nepal in the development of applications and tools related to earth observation and geo-ICT.