UNHack 2024: Empowering Innovation and Collaboration

This November, the BEST Program at York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering hosted UNHack 2024. This initiative is one of BEST’s standout programs, offering students the unique opportunity to collaborate across disciplines, create innovative solutions and address challenges related to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This year, the event brought together 450 participants from diverse academic backgrounds, forming 101 dynamic teams. Over the course of three action-packed days, students engaged in brainstorming, problem solving and critical thinking to design solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues. They were encouraged to push boundaries, think creatively and work as a team.

“I was surprised to see the dedication and energy my team had, which allowed us to thrive during the entirety of the event. It was also interesting to witness how quickly our ideas evolved under time constraints,” says Sadia Shifa, a third-year Computer Engineering student and UNHack 2024 participant. “This experience taught me the power of adaptability and collaboration.”

UNHack 2024’s success would not have been possible without the generous support of mentors, volunteers and organizers, sponsors, including KPM Power and Summer Fresh, as well as the invaluable contributions of esteemed judges: Yasser Elsaid, Founder and CEO of Chatbase; Subashini Kangesan, Business Consultant; and Chang Duong, People and Culture Lead at KPM Power Inc.

The experience culminated in an exciting final round, where eight teams presented their innovative solutions to a panel of judges and received feedback.

Celebrating the winners of UNHack 2024

First Place: PharmShift (Noor Alazzawi, Umar Faruk Sani, Yousef Barakat, Yaseen Barakat, Syed Abdullah Ahmed)

PharmShift is an AI-powered platform designed to help medical students prepare for Observed Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) using realistic, low-cost simulations. This platform empowers students to practice and demonstrate clinical skills in standardized medical scenarios.

“I found UNHack to be really fun and an excellent opportunity to work on my communication and leadership skills,” says Noor Alazzawi, a second-year Computer Engineering student and member of PharmShift. “This experience helped me appreciate collaboration and taught me how to manage feedback while striving to create the perfect solution.”

Second Place: Agora (Krishiv Panchal, Ben Petlach, Damian Stanik, Neel Chitkara, Alesha Tijani)

Agora is a platform bridging the equity gap in education and personal development. By fostering creativity, skill development and social growth, Agora helps individuals reach their full potential and overcome systemic barriers.

“My biggest takeaway from this program was learning how to create presentations using compelling storytelling,” says Krishiv Panchal, a first-year Computer Engineering student and member of Agora. “UNHack taught me that crafting captivating pitches starts with a strong story and a hook.”

Third Place (tie): SlickFix and GradPath

SlickFix (Salisha Moheed, Zayan Asim, Amanullah Asim)

SlickFix offers a sustainable solution to address small to medium oil spills in Canada. Their innovation involves an oil sponge made from natural, biodegradable materials such as human hair, coconut coir and animal fur, effectively restoring aquatic ecosystems without harming the environment.

“What surprised me most during this experience was seeing how our conceptual idea came to life through collaboration and the hands-on application of tools and techniques,” says Salisha Moheed, a third-year Computer Engineering student and member of SlickFix.

GradPath (Hannah Alli, Nusayba Hossain, Aleena Aleem, Nabeela Ansari, Uzma Alam, Sadia Jahan)

GradPath is an AI-powered tool designed to help students track their academic progress. With personalized course recommendations, visual schedule building, risk alerts and graduation tracking, GradPath supports students on their journey toward timely graduation.

“I realized that teamwork is an incredibly helpful tool to turn big ideas into reality. This experience helped me understand that I’m capable of great things,” says Nusaiba Hossain, a third-year Computer Science student and member of GradPath.

UNHack is about more than solving problems – it’s about personal and professional growth. Students gain technical skills, enhance their interpersonal abilities and discover hidden strengths. This year’s event was a testament to the power of experiential learning and its ability to shape the future leaders and changemakers who will drive innovation and tackle global challenges.