From November 5 to 7, 2026, VSB – Technical University of Ostrava hosted the U!Pick Hackathon, bringing together students from partner universities of the European university alliance U!REKA. The event was jointly organized by the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Marketing and Business, VSB-TUO.
The participants were challenged to design an app concept that would help students choose their study abroad destination. Their proposals were expected to consider not only students' individual preferences but also sustainability principles and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Over the course of three days, students worked in international teams, combining expertise in computer science, marketing, business, and user experience design. With support from mentors, they developed their ideas and presented their final concepts to an expert jury. The jury evaluated the projects across four categories: User Experience (UX), technical implementation (Behind the Curtain), Marketing & Communication, and Pitch & Storytelling.
U!Pick Hackathon 2026 Results:
1st place – UniLift
2nd place – U!Find
3rd place – U!Found
The Students' Choice Award, determined by a vote among participants, was presented to Team U!Find.
The U!Pick Hackathon provided an opportunity for international and interdisciplinary collaboration, allowing students to apply their knowledge and skills to a practical challenge related to international student mobility. The joint involvement of the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Marketing and Business also demonstrated the importance of combining technical and business expertise in the development of digital solutions.