JPMorgan Chase Code for Good Africa Hackathon 2023: My Journey in the World of Innovation
This is a part of the October edition of The Computer Newsletter focused on Animations, Cartoons & Computer Vision.
Welcome to the October 2023 edition of The Computer Newsletter. This edition is focused on Animations, Cartoons & Computer Vision.
This is the third article in the edition written by Awelewa Oluwasanmi.
Enjoy!
The journey to this remarkable hackathon began with the application process on the JP Morgan Chase careers website. Then came the Hackerrank online assessment, a rigorous test that demanded solving two complex data structures and algorithm questions within a tight 60-minute window.
Successfully clearing these initial hurdles opened the door to the virtual hackathon event, which was scheduled for the 29th of September, 2023. Before the main event, we had the opportunity to attend two valuable workshops named "GetGit" and "TechStack."
The hackathon was made possible through a partnership between JPMorgan Chase, a renowned London-based financial institution, and KosiAfrica, a non-profit organization operating in Kenya.
The core challenge of the hackathon was to develop software that could revolutionize how donation-related information is managed. This served as the central theme, and our mission for 12 hours was to create a consolidated, seamless system for storytelling and transparency.
The Challenge and Objectives
The challenge was clear: conceive a solution to create a consolidated, seamless system for managing all donation-related information.
The objectives we were tasked with included:
1. Privacy: Developing a private system to ensure the confidentiality of donor information and reports.
2. Accessibility: Creating an easily accessible platform that allows donors worldwide to effortlessly monitor the progress of the schools and students they have supported.
3. User-Friendly Navigation: Implementing a system that is intuitive and easy to navigate, ensuring a seamless experience for our valued donors.
4. Consolidation: Centralizing all information into one cohesive system, providing a comprehensive view of our educational initiatives and impact.
5. Profile Management: Enabling schools to update student profiles within our system, with Kosi Africa overseeing the verification process.
6. Donor Selection: Donors can choose the specific students they wish to assist from the verified profiles.
7. Donor Pipeline Management: Developing a systematic and strategic approach to identifying, cultivating, and stewarding potential donors over time to maximize their engagement and support for the organization. This included segmenting our donors based on when they joined and which stages they were in.
The Participants
The hackathon was a melting pot of talent, bringing together over 40 students selected for their exceptional skills and potential. Additionally, the event was graced by the presence of more than ten internal volunteers from JPMC and 10+ members from partnering organizations.
This blend of seasoned professionals and enthusiastic students created a rich and diverse ecosystem of innovation, a testament to the global mission of JPMC's Code for Good (CFG), which focuses on harnessing technology for social impact.
My Role and Contribution
In this exciting journey, I assumed the front-end developer role for my team. My focus was on creating an engaging and user-friendly interface that would make our solution functional and aesthetically pleasing.
It was a challenge I embraced with enthusiasm, knowing that the user experience is a crucial aspect of any successful software.
My co-participant, Arafat Olayiwola, contributed his backend development expertise to his team, and it's worth noting that his team emerged as the hackathon winner.
Our collaborative efforts complemented each other's skills and played integral roles in achieving the hackathon's objectives.
Conclusion
Participating in the JPMorgan Chase Code for Good Africa Hackathon 2023 has been an incredible learning, collaboration, and innovation journey.
It reaffirmed my belief in the power of technology to drive positive change and highlighted the importance of partnerships between corporate entities like JPMC and non-profit organizations like KosiAfrica.
The objectives we pursued during the hackathon, centred around privacy, accessibility, user-friendly navigation, consolidation, profile management, donor selection, and donor pipeline management, represented a holistic approach to addressing the challenges faced by organizations like KosiAfrica.
I would like to thank the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) at O.A.U for nurturing my skills and providing me with the knowledge and confidence to take on complex challenges.
Reflecting on this journey, I am hopeful for the future of technology and innovation in Africa.
The JPMorgan Chase Code for Good Africa Hackathon 2023 was not just a competition but a stepping stone towards a more transparent and inclusive future for educational initiatives and impact storytelling.
In my own words, "Thank you, and God bless CSE OAU!" The journey ahead is exciting, and I am eager to continue making a positive impact through technology. The hackathon was just the beginning of what promises to be a remarkable journey of innovation and social change.