As Israel’s field of emergency medicine finds itself in dire need of innovative solutions during a time of war, Afeka Academic College of Engineering in Tel Aviv collaborated this month with Magen David Adom on their third annual joint hackathon (technology marathon) focused on developing technologies for emergency medical services.
Multidisciplinary teams comprising Afeka engineering students and alumni, MDA emergency responders, mentors and industry professionals worked together in a compelling display of teamwork and productivity throughout the 24-hour event called the “MDAthon.”
Afeka’s partnership with Israel’s national emergency medical, disaster, ambulance and blood-bank service organization comes as the country’s medical community faced an unprecedented mass-casualty event on Oct. 7 and continues to grapple with the challenges of treating those wounded in the field. This issue is particularly close to home for Afeka because 42% of its student body is serving in the Israel Defense Forces during the war.
Hackathon winners were selected by a panel of judges consisting of Afeka faculty members and MDA medical volunteers. MDAthon judge Dr. Rotem Weizman stated, “Seeing students gather with the shared goal of improving emergency medical care and the energy they invested in this mission made for an uplifting event. Mentors sat for hours with the groups to help them refine their technologies, and we saw an amazing improvement in their final product as a result.”
Coming in first place at the hackathon was a team that presented an AI-powered platform to streamline patient medical history and reduce time to treatment.
“Participating in the hackathon was incredible for me and my team,” winning team member and Afeka medical engineering student Polina Aliyev said of her experience. “We worked nonstop for 24 hours, which really pushed us to think creatively and collaborate under pressure. Winning was the cherry on top of an already amazing journey. It not only validated our hard work but also showed us the power of teamwork and innovation. I believe it was also a fantastic opportunity for team bonding, strengthening our relationships and enhancing our collaborative spirit. We’re thrilled and grateful for the chance to showcase our skills and make a meaningful impact.”
The second-place team, combining members from the college’s medical and mechanical engineering programs, developed the idea of a smart bandage that helps prevent sepsis by detecting an infection based on changes in the patient’s pH level.
Third place was taken by a team developing a drone that can deliver medical equipment to remote areas.
The annual MDAthon is an initiative spearheaded by Afeka’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, which creates dynamic partnerships with entities outside of the academic sector to enhance students’ diverse array of real-world skills.
The event not only enabled students to sharpen their technical skills, but also showed them how to transform an idea into an innovative life-saving solution.
“The demand for skilled engineers has never been greater, especially during these critical times,” said professor Ami Moyal, president of Afeka College. “The MDAthon is just one example of how Afeka’s unique competency-based engineering education focuses on providing our students with all the knowledge, professional and personal skills they need through experiential learning both in and out of the classroom. Our students will be the leaders and innovators that drive future success, will drive our economy and ensure Israel’s continued success on the global stage.”
Eight years ago, Afeka embarked on a long-term journey of profound institutional change to better prepare students for success in the modern workforce through a unique competency-based engineering education model. Moyal asserts that this mission has become more crucial than ever due to the rising importance of the high-tech and defense industries for Israel’s national and economic resilience during a time of war for the country.
Moreover, with more than 42% of Afeka’s student body serving their country while simultaneously striving to complete their studies, the college recently launched the AsOne Wartime Emergency Fund campaign. With an initial goal of raising NIS 15 million ($4 million), the college has committed NIS 5 million ($1.35 million) from internal resources to its student support initiative, and it is now seeking external donations to fund various initiatives.
