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Data Science Regional Hackathon (DSRH 2026) SEKU Application Form

A few key details before you apply:
- Competitive Selection: Selection for this hackathon is competitive. Not every applicant will be accepted.
- Pre-Hackathon Onboarding Activity: Selected participants must complete a brief pre-event tutorial notebook and dataset walkthrough. Completing this by the stated deadline is mandatory to confirm your physical seat. Unconfirmed seats will be reallocated to the waitlist.
- Daily Commute: Participants must arrange their own daily commute to and from the SEKU (South Eastern Kenya University) main campus hackathon venue. (Exact venue will be communicated)
- Meals & Merchandise: Full catering (tea, lunch, soft drinks), branded merchandise, and team awards will be provided across all 4 days.
- Travel & Accommodation: No individual travel allowances or overnight accommodation will be provided.
- Hardware: You must bring your own functional laptop. Python programming experience is advantageous, but enthusiasm and readiness to solve problems are most essential.

SECTION 1: Personal & Academic Information

This section is factual. Please answer accurately. Your contact details will be used for all selection notices and dataset delivery.

1.1 Email Address

1.2 First Name

1.3 Second Name

1.4 Nationality

1.5 Current Place of Residence

1.6 Mobile / WhatsApp Number

1.7 Gender

A
B

1.8 Institutional Status

A
B
C
D

1.9 Field of Study

1.10 Year of study. If you are not currently enrolled as a student, please enter N/A.

1.11 Name of Institution or Work Organization

1.12 How did you hear about DSRH 2026 @ SEKU?

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J

SECTION 2: Python & Technical Skills

2.1 When did you last write Python code?

A
B
C
D
E
F

2.2 Describe one specific project, script, assignment, or task you have built or executed using Python.

SECTION 3: Availability & Commitment

This section is pass/fail. Please ensure you can dedicate the full 4 days.

3.1 The hackathon takes place physically on campus at SEKU from Monday, 28th September to Thursday, 1st October 2026 (Full Days). Do you have any conflicting academic or personal commitments during these dates?

3.2 Can you commute daily to the designated SEKU Hackathon venue for all four days at your own cost?

A
B
C

3.3 Pre-Hackathon Preparation Activity Commitment: If selected, you will receive a starter notebook and dataset 2 weeks before the event. Completing this brief task is mandatory to confirm your slot. Do you accept this condition?

A
B

3.4 How will you structure your time to complete the pre-event practice activity alongside your regular semester/ job workload?

3.5 Will you bring your own functional laptop for all 4 days of the event?

A
B
C

SECTION 4: Motivation & Learning Goals

4.1 What is one specific area or project in Data Science, Machine Learning, Satellite Remote Sensing, or AI that has caught your attention recently, and why?

4.2 What specific skill or capability do you hope to gain by the end of this 4-day hackathon that you currently do not possess?

SECTION 5: Teamwork & Working Under Pressure

Hackathons are fast-paced, collaborative environments. We value problem solvers who communicate well.

5.1 Describe a situation where a group project or technical task faced unexpected challenges or time pressure. How did you handle it, and what did you learn?

5.2 You will be paired in teams with peers you may not know, analyzing real-world datasets under a deadline, and presenting solutions to a panel on the final day. Which part of this process excites or challenges you the most, and why?

SECTION 6 : Additional Remarks

6.1 Is there anything else you would like the review committee to know about your application or technical interests?

SECTION 7: Declarations & Agreements

7.1 Data Protection Consent

7.2 Code of Conduct Agreement