Turning Knowledge into Action: Hackathons for Industry Challenges

Hackathons combine project-based and inquiry-based learning to create a rich and high-intensity environment where students blur the lines between classroom and industry contexts. While traditional learning methodologies often miss the 21st century skills that employers are often looking for, hackathons and their competitive, collaborative spaces have repeatedly been shown to foster deeper learning, and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills at a much faster pace. 

A hackathon is a time-bound event where individuals or teams come together to solve real-world problems. They do this by designing, building and presenting creative solutions often in the form of prototypes, products or services. Originating in the tech industry in the late 1900’s to early 2000’s, they are now a transdisciplinary activity used beyond professional environments and increasingly more in academia as a pedagogical tool. 

By moving beyond theory into practical application, participants learn by failing and failing fast. This rapid iteration and immediate feedback process not only encourages experimentation but also helps build resilience. An outcome much harder to replicate through traditional report-based assessments.  

Some universities now embed hackathon-style events directly into curriculum as part of capstone units, design thinking modules, or industry-linked assessments. Others offer them as co-curricular programs that strengthen employability and innovation mindsets. While outcomes may vary, one common result is that students walk away with a clearer sense of how their academic knowledge applies to real-world problems. 

While hackathons can be run by industry and academia respectively, it’s when they come together that the greatest benefit is produced for students. When learners tackle real world problems that are solved using industry standard tools, the work gains meaning. This connection between theoretical learnings in the classroom to real-world impact not only deepens understanding of the concepts being tested but inherently motivates passionate and purposeful learning.  

Beyond simply gaining hands-on experience with industry-standard tools, involvement from industry (through mentorship, guidance, and judging) provides students with valuable insights into real-world practices. It helps them develop essential skills such as stakeholder communication and time management, while deepening their understanding of the partner organisation’s methods and culture. This holistic exposure better prepares students for graduate roles both within the partner organisations and the wider industry

When hackathons are co-designed and delivered through collaboration between universities and industry, they become far more than an extra-curricular activity. They become immersive simulations of the industry’s workplace. Students aren’t just applying their learning in abstract; they’re tackling real problems with real tools, guided by mentors who understand the challenges firsthand. This integrated model benefits everyone: universities enrich their pedagogy with authentic, skills-based experiences; students build confidence and capability through experiential learning; and industry partners engage with emerging talent while contributing to the development of more work-ready graduates. These types of collaborations represent the future of education, where learning is hands-on, high-impact, and deeply connected to the world students are preparing to enter. 

In collaboration with RMIT’s Biomedical Engineering Society, MEMKO and Dassault Systèmes delivered a MedTech hackathon, organised and led by students from RMIT. The competition challenged students to use the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to design and test prototype prosthetic devices that could be used to support people with restricted or impaired mobility. 

Dassault Systèmes provided access to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform along with comprehensive training materials and learning content to support students in utilisation of the tools. MEMKO was on site throughout the hackathon to provide technical support, industry insight and judge the winners of the competition.

Whether your focus is medtech, aerospace engineering, or any field in between, hackathons offer a powerful way to connect students with industry in meaningful, future-ready ways. If you’re an academic or student interested in hosting a hackathon with support from Dassault Systèmes and MEMKO, we’d love to hear from you.