Wits launches challenge for better student apps

The University of the Witwatersrand has launched an app development challenge aimed at adding to its existing suite of student-focused apps.

The Student App Challenge, conducted in partnership with iAfrikan, is open to students and non-students alike and will run over two weekends this August.

The challenge, which takes place at the university’s new Digital Innovation Zone (DIZ) in Johannesburg, will kick off with an Ideathon on the first weekend (15/16 August 2015) and followed by a Hackathon the following weekend (22/23 August 2015).

The challenge requires participants to create new Apps that will add on to the existing suite of Mobile Apps for Students called WitsM.

Read more: Absa first SA bank to launch Apple Watch app

“Many Universities now have Apps to support some aspects of student life,” says Prof Barry Dwolatzky, Director JCSE at Wits University. “Students have Apps to check marks, timetables and fee accounts. There are Apps to check bus schedules and read campus news. Wits University has just launched WitsM – a set of mobile Apps to provide all of these functions and a few more”.

“But what’s missing? What Student Apps would students like to have? The Student App Challenge is an opportunity for students (and their friends) to come up with ideas for innovative and exciting Apps. I’ve always believed that Joburg has the smartest and brightest young minds. Now is the time to prove it!”

While the aim of the challenge is to find new apps for the WitsM suite, the university says they aren’t restricted to it. Participants will be able to re-use their Apps in other tertiary institutions and different App stores.

Read more: Nutrition, barcode-scanning app rates packaged food for South Africans

According to a press release issued by the tertiary institution, on both weekends, participants will be introduced to different Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) by various industry experts. Participants will also be encouraged to share their knowledge or experience with APIs they’ve previously worked on.

The prototypes of the Student App Challenge will be demonstrated on the 29th of August 2015, where winners will also be announced. The winners will walk away with full membership to the DIZ co-working space and Apple iPad Air tablets.