1,398 students from 56 countries register for global water hackathon

Khalifa University has registered 1,398 university students in 238 teams from 56 countries for its 2026 global water hackathon with UNESCO, the Abu Dhabi-based Emirates News Agency reported on September 22. Teams come from the UAE and countries across Asia, Europe, Australia, the Americas and Africa.

The challenge spans six areas, including water security, desalination, reuse, digital systems and water quality. Selected teams are due to develop and test proposals with researchers and technical mentors. No winners have been announced.

The programme began on September 7 and is scheduled to run until December 10. Finalists are expected to present their work during the UN Water Conference planned in Abu Dhabi for December 8–10.