Code fair brings together the Territory’s brightest minds for 10th anniversary celebrations

The Northern Territory’s brightest minds are coming together for this year’s Charles Darwin University (CDU) IT Code Fair in Darwin.

The CDU IT Code Fair, hosted by the Faculty of Science and Technology's IT discipline, commenced its journey in 2014 and has since grown into a significant event. This year's event celebrates the CDU IT Code Fair’s 10th anniversary, bringing together 175 students and 40 industry representatives.

CDU IT Fair co-organiser Dr Sami Azam said the IT Code Fair gave students invaluable opportunities to network and showcase their skills. 

“The IT Code Fair stands as the most cherished event in our IT discipline, providing our students with the opportunity to present their skills to the industry,” Dr Azam said.

“Throughout its evolution, the IT Code Fair has become a prominent and impactful gathering, leaving a profound mark on teaching and learning, research and innovation, employment, and wider community engagement across the Northern Territory.”

Co-organiser Dr Bharanidharan Shanmugam envisioned the IT Code Fair actively addressing local issues, collaborating closely with First Nations communities, and becoming an integral part of the Northern Territory's way of life.

"This event nurtures creative thinking within our IT students, motivating them to explore inventive solutions to real-world challenges,” Dr Shanmugam said.

The theme for this year's event, The Future of AI, allowed students to showcase innovative methodologies, harness AI to tackle real problems, and derive valuable insights through the interpretation of data and the use of machine learning models.

CDU Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Science and Technology said the Code Fair would continue to play a significant role within the CDU and local community.

"The IT Code Fair plays a significant role in the Northern Territory, benefiting both the industry and our students,” Professor Thennadil said.

“It provides a valuable and distinct experience, often leading to job placements for many students. I anticipate the Code Fair's continuous evolution, staying in tune with the changing times, and foresee a promising and vibrant future for it."