The Hackathon Festival provides Engineering and Information Technology students with the opportunity to work in a multidisciplinary team to develop innovative solutions to industry challenges.
The 2025 FEIT Hackathon Festival has wrapped up, with over 200 students participating in this year's flagship event.
The competition saw students across the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology delve into solving problems around the theme "AI Solutions for a Sustainable Future: Tackling the UN Sustainable Development Goals".
The event, spanning three intense days, saw over 45 teams push the boundaries of artificial intelligence and machine learning to tackle pressing global issues and over the course of the three days, the atmosphere was electric and vibrant. Students were eager to apply their knowledge to address industry challenges and collaborate with their peers.
During the three days, participants had the unique opportunity to learn from top industry leaders, attending skill development workshops and networking events. These interactions provided invaluable insights, helping teams refine their approaches to the Hackathon's central challenge.
The event culminated in a celebratory closing ceremony, where the top three teams were awarded from a prize pool totalling $11,000. In addition to these awards, Airwallex and SMEC AI also provided additional prizes.
All participants had the opportunity to demonstrate their newly acquired skills in Sustainable Advocacy, with a verified digital credential through Melbourne Plus.
Congratulations to our 2025 FEIT Hackathon Champions!
1st place $6,000 – Team name required
2nd place $3,000 – Triple coding hurricane
3rd place, $2,000 – NSFVK
2025 Hackathon Festival image gallery
Explore a visual journey through the 2025 Hackathon Festival, where innovation, collaboration, and creativity came together in an inspiring celebration of technology.
Sponsors
The 2025 FEIT Hackathon principal sponsor was Airwallex marking this their third consecutive year of sponsorship. The 2025 partners were: Eastern Burke to Tram Alliance (EBTA), RPM Hire, SMEC AI and Cremorne Digital Hub. Major thanks to all the industry partners, the mentors and judges that came to support the event.
Key Sponsor: Airwallex
Airwallex is the major sponsor of the FEIT Hackathon 2025, marking this their third consecutive year of sponsorship. This consistent support highlights their role as a strategic industry partner of the University of Melbourne's Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology (FEIT).
Partners
Cremorne Digital Hub
Cremorne Digital Hub connects industry with the Victorian innovation ecosystem through events, workspace, and community. This integrated platform helps people work together, share ideas, build strategic relationships, and create new business opportunities.
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Boab.Ai
SMEC AI is an initiative of Boab AI in partnership with Artesian, Cremorne Digital Hub, University of Melbourne, RMIT, La Trobe University, Victorian Medtech Skills And Devices Hub, TNG and Rockwell. SMEC AI focuses on the agriculture, clean energy, medical and enabling capabilities industries as defined by the National Reconstruction Fund priority areas.
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Bourke to Tram Alliance
The Burke Road to Tram Road section of the Eastern Freeway Upgrades focuses on improving traffic flow, public transport access, and walking and cycling connections in Melbourne’s east. The project includes major landscaping, upgraded trails, new noise walls, and integrates seamlessly with the North East Link interchange at Bulleen.
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RPM Hire
We specialise in offering comprehensive traffic management equipment hire solutions across Australia. Partnering with leading companies, we supply equipment for large-scale projects, public events, and also support local businesses and retailers with effective advertising solutions.
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The 2025 festival will take place in person over three days at the University of Melbourne's Parkville campus (exact room locations will be provided closer to the event). Activities include:
- Skill development workshops, with hands-on sessions aimed at enhancing participants' capabilities relevant to the competition themes.
- Industry networking opportunities, providing a chance to connect with professionals, mentors, and peers in the field.
- Challenge response development, with support and guidance to help teams craft solutions to the provided challenges.
By joining the FEIT Hackathon Festival, you’ll have the chance to build your professional network and career opportunities; be exposed to new tools and technologies; meet your peers and develop friendships; apply your theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges and win great prizes.
You will also be eligible to gain a Melbourne Plus verified digital credential for your capability in Sustainability Advocacy. Melbourne Plus provides a gateway for you to find opportunities to engage in activities outs of the classroom. Connect with others, build your capabilities and contribute to the University and broader community.
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1. Check your eligibility
The 2025 Hackathon Festival is open to all current postgraduate students* in the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, including students studying the following:
- Master of Engineering (suite of programs)
- Master of Engineering Management
- Master of Information Systems
- Master of Information Technology
- Master of Energy Systems
- Master of Computer Science
- Doctor of Philosophy - Engineering & IT
*Participants are required to be enrolled in at least one subject in Semester 2, 2025 to be eligible to compete.
2. Form a team
- Teams must consist of 3 to 5 students.
- Each team is encouraged to have students from different disciplines to promote a multidisciplinary approach.
- You are welcome to register with a team. If you don’t have one, the Faculty will help you connect with other students to form a team.
2. Register to compete
Registrations for the 2025 FEIT Hackathon Festival are now closed.
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There are no specific technical requirements. Students from all engineering and IT backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Whether you're into coding, design, data, business analysis, or project management there’s a role for you on a team.
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Not at all. The FEIT Hackathon Festival is designed to be inclusive and supportive for both beginners and experienced participants. There will be workshops, mentoring, and team support to help you develop skills and contribute meaningfully, whether it’s your first hackathon or your fifth.
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Yes. While students are encouraged to apply with a team of 3–5, individual applicants are welcome. We'll match you with other participants to create a diverse, multidisciplinary team.
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The 2025 Theme is AI Solutions for a Sustainable Future: Tackling the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
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You’ll have access to mentors from industry and academia who can help guide your team. There will also be staff on hand to support with logistics, tools, and technical questions.
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The event runs across three full days, from Monday 29 September to Wednesday 1 October 2025. Each day will include workshops, collaboration time, and networking activities.
A detailed schedule will be provided closer to the date. -
A panel of industry and academic judges will assess final pitches based on innovation, feasibility, impact, teamwork, and alignment with the challenge theme.
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1st: $6,000
2nd: $3,000
3rd: $2,000Plus: Spot prizes throughout the event!
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Partners and sponsors for the 2025 FEIT Hackathon Festival:
- Key Sponsor - Airwallex
- Partners - Cremorne Digital Hub, Boab.Ai, Bourke to Tram Alliance and RPM Hire
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Yes! All participants will be provided with food and refreshments throughout the event. You’ll be well-fuelled for brainstorming, coding, and collaborating. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements when registering.
Industry Information
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The FEIT flagship event Hackathon Festival will bring together postgraduate University of Melbourne engineering and information technology students to develop innovative solutions to industry challenges.
The Hackathon Festival will harness and leverage the innovation ecosystem at the University and provide students with the opportunity to build skills and enhance their networks.
The Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology invites University colleagues, tenants and industry partners an opportunity to be involved with this flagship event.
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Postgraduate students from the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, including
* Master of Engineering (suite of programs) including Master of Engineering Management students
* Master of Information Systems
* Master of Information Technology
* Master of Energy Systems
* Master of Computer Science
* Doctor of Philosophy – Engineering & Information Technology
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Students participate in the Hackathon Festival to:
* Develop their skills
* Network
* Problem-solving and teamwork
* Experiential learning
* Meet their peers
* Personal growth
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* Connect with our students – build brand affinity and promote your organisations employment opportunities
* Hackathons encourage the generation of fresh ideas for products, services, or solutions, and can accelerate the process of rapid prototyping and innovation.
* Mentor and engage with the next generation of STEM leaders.
* Strengthen your engagement with the University community and our industry partners.
* Leverage this activity to provide professional development opportunities for your graduate or junior staff.
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Propose a challenge or problem statement
Get solutions to your sustainability challenges. Provide a problem statement for students to address within the Festival. The challenges should align with the Hackathon theme.
Provide sustainable merchandise
Enhance your brand identify amongst the students. Provide environmentally friendly branded merchandise, such as t-shirts, hats, pens or bags.
Propose a technology you would like students to use to solve a problem
Get your technology in front of early adopters. Provide access to technology for students to use to solve challenges or couple a piece of technology to a challenge
Host a drop in session
Help students reach their potential. Meet with groups of students and check in to see how they are progressing. This is an opportunity to offer your expert advice regarding approaching problem statements and solution design.
Host a branded lunch, morning or afternoon tea*
Network with students participating in the Hackathon. The session will be branded, and it will provide your organisation with the opportunity to meet the students over refreshments.
Participate as a mentor
Join us on the journey. Support and guide student teams throughout the competition. It’s a valuable opportunity to connect with the next generation of talent, share your expertise, and make a lasting impact. Mentor student groups throughout the competition. This is a great way to engage with the student cohort and identify talent.
Provide a prize
Support a branded student award within the Festival. This could include team or individual prizes, or spot prizes to encourage engagement and momentum throughout the three day program.
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If you are interested in contributing to the 2025 FEIT Hackathon Festival, please reach out to
Enkhzaya Adiya
eadiya@unimelb.edu.au
Manager, Internships & Projects
Student Experience Team