Making a Real Impact: The ReachSci Innovation Hackathon Algeria Hub, Where Your World Grows
Participants: Amina Bourahla, Assia Lombarkia, Meroua Oukkal, Rania Riag, Saad Bouzaid Amina, Aya Maaoui
Organizing team: Besma Madaci, Imane Salmi, Abdelaziz Riah, Youssra
Proofreader: Hussein A. Yousif (ReachSci Hubs Senior Director)
The ReachSci hub in Algeria hosted a 2-day hackathon where participants leveraged solutions from existing research papers and transformed them into actionable projects on the ground.
To kickstart the event, we organized trial runs involving two regiments, each consisting of 3-4 members. With extensive training provided by the organizing committee, we managed to develop creative and practical projects that we envision as game-changers for our future.
Figure 1: Google Meet screenshot of the first day: an application example about the search for a highly rated research paper and answering questions of participants
Our first project focused on the recycling of organic waste into valuable agricultural fertilizer. This innovative approach involves composting organic household and green waste, presenting a sustainable and profitable solution for the environment and all living organisms (Figure 2). We were inspired by the concept of vermicomposting, which is a worm-based method for managing organic waste streams (Furlong et al., 2017).
Figure 2: A vibrating technological device with sensors to measure some vital elements.
Figure 3: Google Meet screenshot of all participants engaging in dynamic discussions, symbolizing a hackathon
The second project centered around the integration of AI in dermatology. This initiative not only aims to enhance diagnosis and treatment efficiency but also has the potential to reduce healthcare costs, improve access to dermatological expertise in underserved areas, and ultimately elevate patient outcomes. In an era where every individual's skin tells a unique story, personalized skincare solutions have become more crucial than ever. Digitization has significantly impacted the beauty industry and dermatology as a whole (Dermatol Ther Heidelb, 2022).
As a team with STEM backgrounds, our primary focus is addressing the challenges in our country and finding innovative solutions. We aim to make a substantial impact in various sectors. Collaborating with the University of Cambridge ReachSci community, we believe that this is the path to realizing our goals, and we invite you to share your ideas and innovations to bring about positive change.
Through our thorough research, we have identified the potential of our projects to have a dual impact on the environment and health. For instance, in the area of recycling, we see substantial environmental benefits in monitoring and conservation by using waste as raw materials and naturally transforming them, thereby avoiding harmful practices like incineration and backfilling.
The hackathon concluded on a positive note. We reviewed the reports submitted by the participants and awarded certificates for their outstanding work in developing innovative projects that will benefit their communities. We invite you to join us and make a difference by participating in building a healthier community.
References:
1- Furlong, C., Rajapaksha, N. S., Butt, K. R., & Gibson, W. T. (2017). Is composting worm availability the main barrier to large-scale adoption of worm-based organic waste processing technologies? Journal of Cleaner Production, 164, 1026–1033. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.06.226
2- Reich, K., Korge, B., Magnolo, N. et al. Quality-of-Life Outcomes, Effectiveness and Tolerability of Apremilast in Patients with Plaque Psoriasis and Routine German Dermatology Care: Results from LAPIS-PSO. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) 12, 203–221 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-021-00658-x