Hackathon held at the University of Herzegovina

On May 10, 2025, in the premises of the University of Herzegovina in Bijakovići, Međugorje, a Hackathon was held as part of the Erasmus+ project GROWTH (Greening Relevance in Operations in Western-Balkans Tertiary-Education Habitats).
A hackathon is an intense competition on a topic where contestants are given a specific task that they need to solve in a limited period of time. This is followed by a discussion and selection of the most creative and innovative works or activities by the jury.
A hackathon usually involves organizing into teams because the goal is to encourage teamwork. Competitors at the University of Herzegovina (students and teachers) were supposed to propose innovative and creative solutions on how to influence the thinking of children and young people about environmental sustainability. They had to translate their ideas into Power Point presentations or short plays with the information technology equipment at their disposal.
Slightly more than 15 participants organized themselves into teams and during the day elaborated and proposed their solutions in the form of presentations. All participants received certificates of participation, and cash prizes were provided for the three best presentations. The participants shared experiences in working with children of all ages (especially preschool education) and presented interesting ideas on how to encourage young people and the youngest to understand and apply ecological practices. Students of the University of Herzegovina are encouraged to participate in projects through various activities and develop the competencies needed for their studies, but also for the challenges of the labor market.
The University of Herzegovina supports sustainability in all its forms through a large number of projects in which it is engaged. Among other things, it is particularly directed towards environmental sustainability and sustainability in higher education, following the guidelines of quality assurance in higher education and working to ensure that the University of Herzegovina is recognized as a quality partner in the business world. Students who complete any of the 13 study programs have the appropriate skills and knowledge to engage in work in their fields of study.