More than 70 CIS University students put their skills to the test in a week-long hackathon, tackling real-world challenges from GI Group and IPC Systems. The event, held from March 21 to 28, was structured into multiple phases. The participants were second-year Internship II students.
The Hackathon was structured in several phases. In the initial session, representatives from GI Group and IPC Systems presented the students with the challenges they would solve during the week. Participants were then organized into teams of 6-7 people, with half collaborating with GI Group and the other half with IPC Systems.
During the week, the students held virtual meetings, four days a week, with their assigned company. These sessions allowed them to ask questions, receive feedback, and present progress on their projects. Finally, on March 28, the companies evaluated the proposals and awarded prizes to the winning teams.
Kiri Díaz de la Cebosa, head of the internship department at CIS University, highlighted the growing trend among companies using hackathons as an innovative method for identifying talent. “Some companies organize 24-hour hackathons and even record participants to analyze their behavior, social skills, and leadership,” she explained.
Innovating for Student Employability
For her part, Teresa Cienfuegos, coordinator of the internship department at CIS University, emphasized the importance of these initiatives within the internship course. “This semester, we have incorporated the hackathon and an escape room as mandatory activities that contribute to the course grade, with the aim of enhancing students’ employability,” she noted.
Thanks to initiatives like this, students not only gain practical experience in a real work environment but also develop key skills such as teamwork, problem-solving and effective communication. The Hackathon with GI Group and IPC Systems was a clear example of how collaboration between universities and companies can generate valuable opportunities for students’ professional growth, preparing them for the challenges of today’s workforce.
