We exchange ideas and motivate young students to participate in future hackathons to develop their ideas. Professor Nikola Vukašinović gave a lecture titled “Hackathons as an Opportunity to Foster High School Students’ Creativity” for curious students participating in the summer research camp at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Ljubljana. Educators and industry professionals see hackathons as an important part of the learning ecosystem that bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Hackathons are becoming increasingly popular and are key to nurturing the creative potential of university students, preparing them for a dynamic and technology-driven world.

The DESIGN 24 conference in Cavtat aims to bring together design professionals and enthusiasts to explore the latest trends and innovations in the field. It serves as a platform for networking, knowledge sharing and presentation of innovative projects.

At this conference, the concept and methodology of Pro Hackin’ was introduced to a wider academic and industry audience. They found this type of educational ecosystem particularly interesting, which further fostered collaboration and inspiration among the participants. https://www.designconference.org

Yesterday’s hackathon, part of the PRO HACKIN’ project funded by the EU’s Erasmus+ program, was a dynamic showcase of creativity and collaboration, underscoring the incredible power of cross-pollination, idea sharing, and open discussion to generate novel solutions.

Held at RLab in the vibrant MIND Milano Innovation District, the event brought together bright minds from four prestigious universities: University of Ljubljana, CADLab @ FMENA Zagreb, Dipartimento di Meccanica – Politecnico di Milano, and Technische Universität Wien. These students, brimming with fresh ideas and enthusiasm, developed innovative projects that pushed the boundaries of conventional thinking.

Guided by the expertise of the RLab team, including coaches, professors Niccolò Becattini, Stanko Škec, Nikola Vukasinovic, and Manfred Grafinger, the participants engaged in intense collaboration to co-design and develop solutions aimed at tackling real-world challenges. The atmosphere was electric with creativity as students worked tirelessly to refine and present their cutting-edge ideas.

This full-day event was a testament to the transformative power of multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder approaches in driving innovation and shaping the future of technology and appliances. The hackathon not only highlighted the students’ talent but also demonstrated how diverse perspectives can converge to create groundbreaking solutions.

We express our gratitude to our industrial partner Rold for their invaluable insights, assistance, and mentorship, as well as to our colleagues from Politecnico di Milano for organizing the visit.