FAF NGO – Facem ceva cu tolk’

XMas FAF Hackathon 2023: A Technological Adventure on the Eve of the Holidays

With enthusiasm and a touch of nostalgia, the XMas FAF Hackathon has come to an end, leaving behind unforgettable memories and promising projects. The event, organized by FAF NGO, proved to be a captivating experience for everyone involved.

From December 23–24, the Tekwill innovation center became the epicenter of creativity and innovative technological solutions. The 75 participants, eager to put their knowledge to the test, worked intensely for 24 hours to solve the proposed challenges: timetable generation and handwriting recognition using OCR technology. With every line of code and every new idea, a vibrant environment of collaboration and innovation took shape.

Among the solutions presented by the 15 teams, several impressive projects stood out, demonstrating not only the students’ technical skills but also their creativity and teamwork.

Award-Winning Projects

Schedule Generator — A specially designed algorithm for the efficient generation of university timetables, accompanied by a user-friendly website for administration. Through this site, administrators can add or modify information in the database, while students can access it with ease.
ScheduleExpert — A web-based timetable generation system with an emphasis on automation and flexibility. A key feature implemented is the system’s ability to manage teacher substitutions, providing error precision that ensures educational continuity despite unforeseen changes.
OCR Model — A system capable of recognizing simple handwriting and handwritten tables in English, transforming them into digital format. This model contributes to streamlining the process of converting manually written information into an easily manageable and accessible format.

The Jury

A jury of professionals faced the difficult task of evaluating each project based on creativity, innovation, and applicability:

Viorel Bostan — Rector, Technical University of Moldova (UTM)
Dinu Țurcanu — Vice-Rector for Digitalization, UTM
Dumitru Ciorbă — Dean, Faculty of Computers, Informatics and Microelectronics, UTM
Ana Țurcanu — Vice-Dean, Faculty of Computers, Informatics and Microelectronics, UTM
Mihail Gavrilița — Head of Software Engineering Program, UTM
Vladimir Poddukin — Representative, Allied Testing Moldova

Sponsors and Partners

General Sponsor | Allied Testing — A prestigious company specializing in quality assurance and software testing, particularly within capital markets, trading, and the financial industry. As a pillar of the IT industry in Moldova, Allied Testing provided financial support and the grand prize for 1st place, highlighting their commitment to developing young IT talent.
Supporter | Planet Group International (PGI) — A global technology entity with over 25 years of experience. PGI provides professional solutions for sectors such as energy, oil and gas, finance, and retail. Their involvement was essential in shaping a remarkable experience for participants, bridging the gap between industry and academia.
Partner | Technical University of Moldova (UTM) — A reliable partner open to innovative initiatives. UTM’s support was crucial for the realization of this hackathon, providing organizational support and generously awarding the prizes for 2nd and 3rd place.

XMas FAF Hackathon was not just a tech event, but a celebration of festive spirit and collaboration. With fresh memories and new knowledge, participants and organizers look forward to future events that will continue to bring innovation and excellence to the FAF community.

About FAF: FAF is an NGO created by students and alumni of the “Software Engineering” program (English Section) at UTM, aimed at the personal and professional development of students through dedicated events.

Follow the community’s events on FAF NGO social media: Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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