Organizing UAlbany's largest student-hosted, global hackathon.
ALBANY, N.Y. (April 16, 2024) — Motivated by their passion for gaming, technology and camaraderie, students from UAlbany IEEE set out to bring a new experience to campus this year with the first “Hack-a-Damien” from April 12-14.
The event combined a traditional hackathon (a 24-hour competition in which teams compete to solve a complex computer programming problem) with a series of technical workshops, conversations with game developers, as well as displays from numerous vendors and industry partners. With a theme of “same level, different challenges,” the event welcomed more than 120 students from across New York to have fun and compete for prizes at UAlbany’s state-of-the-art ETEC facility while developing an interactive game for judges’ panel.
“The reason we chose gaming is not just for entertainment, but is because gaming expands into so many disciplines: art, finance, gameplay design, story writing and programming,” said Agu (Liam) Vaitkus, a senior majoring in computer science and public policy and management at UAlbany who helped lead IEEE’s planning for the event. “It’s a great opportunity for students to come together and practice their skills, as well as learn new skills in a team environment.”
The vendor fair included the FBI, Velan Studios, IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), IBM, the United States Space Force, as well as UAlbany’s Graduate School and College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering. Also making a special appearance was the University Police Department’s therapy dog Roxy, and her partner, Officer Kenneth Faath.
IBM also hosted a research discussion on AI, quantum computing and semiconductor development, while Rocket Science Group, Meraki Interactive, Warner Brothers Games, Wolfjaw Studios and Grimbar Interactive supported the event through judging, mentorship or workshops.
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The event was held on the same weekend as the University's Accepted Student Open House, providing the occasion for future UAlbany students to see the opportunities that await them.
“The hackathon is primarily about collaboration, which is a big part of any industry,” said Ishtyaq Khan, a computer science major and chair of UAlbany’s IEEE chapter.
UAlbany Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Carol H. Kim opened the festivities, while Raymond Dorcely Jr. ’11, MA ’12, program manager for Meta’s Reality Labs delivered the keynote address.