Maldives Datathon 2025

Maldives Datathon

A Datathon is an event where people use data and technology to solve problems. Participants explore numbers, find patterns, and come up with creative solutions. It’s a great way to learn how data can address real-world challenges. You don’t need to be an expert-just curious and ready to learn. Inspired by the UN Datathon, the Maldives Datathon aims to address key national challenges by focusing on the localization of data-driven solutions that align with the country’s development priorities. Set against the backdrop of the Sustainable Development Agenda, the event will tackle critical issues within the national development priorities. Throughout the datathon, teams will have access to comprehensive datasets provided by the Maldives Bureau of Statistics (MBS) and other official sources. This data will enable them to craft impactful solutions tailored to address specific labor market needs. Participants will focus on creating interactive dashboards, data visualizations, and analytical tools that offer actionable insights

MALDIVES DATATHON 2025: SHAPING THE FUTURE OF WORK

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE?

The key objectives of the Maldives Datathon is

1

To raise awareness of the importance of statistics among youth and the wider community, fostering a culture of data literacy and informed decision-making

2

To encourage the use of data and statistics in developing innovative ideas and initiatives that can support effective policy decisions and address societal challenges

3

To leverage big data and advanced analytics for solving statistical problems, exploring new data sources, and expanding the role of big data in official statistics

4

Engaging with technical experts and data scientists across Maldives, to generate new ideas and proposals on data solution

5

To promote and accelerate ‘big data for statistics’ initiatives by integrating new data methodologies and technologies into official statistical frameworks

6

To promote partnerships with research and technical community, by raising awareness on data and Statistics

7

To devise innovative products and tools, including for data visualization, to inspire the use of open data and public use files and to engage with new audiences and users

THE FORMAT

The datathon will include a preparatory phase with webinars and workshops, followed by an in-person hacking event in Malé. This hands-on phase will prioritize team collaboration, direct mentoring, and cross-team knowledge sharing, leading to the presentation of creative and practical solutions. Ultimately, the Maldives Datathon 2025 aims to demonstrate how data-driven strategies can bridge gaps in labor market information and set a standard for future initiatives in evidence-based policy-making and sustainable economic planning

TEAMS
3 to 5 participants per team.

Participation in the hackathon

  • Youth track: Open to youth aged 15-24 years across the Maldives. Teams can be formed within schools, colleges, universities, or by individual participants
  • Open track: Open to participants of all ages, including professionals, researchers, and data enthusiasts. Teams can consist of participants from diverse backgrounds
  • Virtual Participation: Teams not residing in Malé or participants who prefer remote involvement are welcome to join the datathon virtually. Each team is responsible for ensuring a stable and reliable internet connection throughout the event to adhere to the datathon rules
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TIMELINE

23rd Oct 2024

Registration opening

23rd Nov 2024

Deadline for registration

9th to 10th Feb 2025

Competition period

DURATION

13 hours over 2 Days
Day 1 – 9th Feb 2025: Intro session (2 hrs, 4-6 pm)
Day2 – 10th Feb 2025: (9 am – 8 pm)

Datathon Winners

Following the evaluation process, one best solution proposed by teams will be awarded with MVR 80,000

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Frequently Asked Questions

The datathon will focus on Labor Market issues within the society which caters to the data gaps identified in one of the National Development Priority areas. It will involve teams working on data analysis, visualization, and solution development to cater to the National Priority Labor force and Employment areas/Indicators

Labor Force and Employment in Maldives

  • Youth Employment:

    A large portion of the labor force is made up of young people, creating both opportunities and challenges in terms of employment rates and skill development.

  • Migrant Workers:

    The Maldives employs a considerable number of foreign workers, particularly in the tourism and construction sectors. This reliance on expatriate labor can influence local employment dynamics.

  • Tourism Sector Employment:

    Employment in the tourism sector has been the primary driver of job creation. The sector includes hotels, resorts, and related services. Economic fluctuations, such as those caused by global events, significantly impact employment levels.

  • Skills and Training:

    There is an increasing emphasis on vocational training and skill development to meet the demands of the labor market, particularly in tourism and hospitality management.

  • Unemployment Rates:

    Unemployment rates are generally low but can fluctuate based on seasonal sectoral demands and global economic conditions.

  • Skill Mismatch:

    There is often a mismatch between the skills available in the labor force and the needs of employers, particularly in emerging sectors.

  • Economic Vulnerability:

    The heavy reliance on tourism makes the economy and labor market vulnerable to external shocks, such as global economic downturns or environmental challenges.

  • Gender Disparities:

    While women are increasingly participating in the workforce, there are still gaps in employment opportunities and wage disparities between genders.

  • Diversification Efforts:

    The government and private sector are exploring ways to diversify the economy, which may lead to new employment opportunities in areas like renewable energy, fisheries, and technology.

  • Sustainable Practices:

    Emphasizing sustainable tourism and environmental conservation may create new job opportunities while addressing ecological concerns.

  • Informal Employment:

    Those working in informal employment are most vulnerable at times of crisis. Women are also known to heavily rely on informal employment.

Teams from across the Maldives compete for the best solution to the statistical challenge on promoting and filling Data gaps on Labor force statistics. The teams should develop innovative approaches, applications and data products combining official statistics and big data that can help to answer a key area to support a policy decision.

Teams will be challenged to design a creative analysis/dashboard/application that can assist the policy decision making process for an SDG or national priority area on Labor force statistics. It will be up to the team to choose their own policy question that they wish to answer with their application.

  • Data Sources:
    • For the purposes of the 2025 Datathon, MBS will provide the participants with the Census 2022/HIES 2019 dataset
    • Recommended format: CSV, Excel, JSON
    • Also, they can use their related fields data sets or available big data options, like google earth, satellite, social media data, web scraping tools etc
  • Submission:
    • Teams will submit [e.g., reports, presentations, code repositories] by the end of the event
  • Kickoff: Introduction to challenges, rules, and tools. [20th October 2024 – National Statistics Day Official Event]
  • Work Period: Time for teams to work on their solutions [10 hours]
  • Mentorship: Provide access to mentors for guidance [e.g., scheduled sessions pre/during the event]
  • Submission: Deadline for final submissions [Day 2, 6:00 PM]
  • Agenda – Day 1
    • Introduction to the event
    • Exploration of key issues
    • Unlocking the tools (A session on available tools)
    • Introducing Mentors
  • Agenda – Day 2
    • Teams working on their analysis and innovations
    • Mentors distributions and rotations
    • Energizers
    • Pitch formats
    • Tech check
    • Submissions
    • Pitching
    • Judging
    • Closing

1. Relevance for Specific Policy Use (20%)

Definition: The extent to which the proposed solution addresses a well-defined labor market issue and aligns with national development priorities or specific policy needs or relevant SDGs.

Evaluation Factors:

  • Clear identification of a labor market policy issue.
  • Demonstrated understanding of how the solution could inform policy decisions.
  • Evidence of alignment with policy objectives (e.g., employment rates, income inequality, skills development).

Scoring:

  • 5: Strong relevance, clear policy use, and actionable insights with significant potential for real-world impact.
  • 3-4: Moderate relevance, applicable to policy but lacks depth in execution or broader impact.
  • 1-2: Low relevance, limited application to policy, and unclear potential for impact.

2. Technical Execution (20%)

Definition: The degree of technical proficiency demonstrated in the implementation of the solution, including data analysis, coding, and the use of relevant technologies. Solutions should be technically sound, innovative, and demonstrate a strong understanding of data handling and processing.

Evaluation Factors:

  • Data Analysis:
    • Effectiveness in cleaning, processing, and preparing data for analysis (e.g., handling missing values, outliers, and inconsistencies).
    • Appropriateness of the data analysis methods and techniques used to address the problem.
    • Depth and accuracy of insights derived from the data, supported by evidence.
  • Coding Implementation:
    • Structure and readability of the code (e.g., modularity, comments, documentation).
    • Use of advanced methods, algorithms, or libraries that showcase innovative approaches (e.g., machine learning models, statistical techniques).
  • Visualization & Reporting:
    • Effectiveness of the visualizations in conveying insights (e.g., clarity, appropriate graph types).
    • How well the data storytelling aspect is incorporated into the visualizations.
    • Overall design and user experience of any dashboards, applications, or interfaces created as part of the solution.

Scoring:

  • 9-10: Exceptional technical proficiency: Advanced and efficient coding, in-depth data analysis, and highly effective visualizations. The solution demonstrates creativity, innovation, and a well-executed approach.
  • 7-8: Strong technical execution: Clear and well-structured code, appropriate analysis methods, and solid visualizations. Solution shows good technical understanding but may lack some advanced techniques.
  • 4-6: Average technical execution: Functional but basic code, standard data analysis, and acceptable visualizations. The solution is effective but may have gaps in technical depth or optimization.
  • 1-3: Weak technical execution: Poorly structured or inefficient code, limited data analysis, and ineffective or unclear visualizations. The solution shows a lack of innovation or technical proficiency.

3. Communication and Presentation (20%)

Definition: The clarity, coherence, and effectiveness of presenting the solution, including storytelling, data visualization, and its accessibility to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Effective communication should make complex data insights easy to understand and engaging.

Evaluation Factors:

  • Concise and articulate presentation of the solution’s purpose, approach, and intended impact.
  • Ability to explain technical concepts in a way that is easily understood by non-experts.
  • Use of storytelling techniques to create a compelling narrative around the data and findings.
  • Integration of data visualizations to enhance the narrative and emphasize key insights.
  • Ability to engage the audience and make the solution accessible to a broad range of stakeholders, including policymakers, industry experts, and the general public.
  • Quality of presentation materials (e.g., slides, demos, dashboards) that aid in understanding and showcasing the solution’s value.

Scoring:

  • 5: Outstanding communication: Clear, engaging, and accessible to all audiences, with a compelling narrative and excellent use of visualizations.
  • 3-4: Good presentation: Effective overall but may have some areas that are unclear or overly technical. Shows a reasonable attempt to engage and explain but could benefit from more clarity, coherence, or visual consistency.
  • 1-2: Poor communication: Difficult to understand, lacks coherence, and fails to effectively convey the solution’s purpose or findings.

4. Innovative Approach (20%)

Definition: The creativity and originality of the proposed solution, including the use of new technologies, approaches, or novel insights into labor market issues.

Evaluation Factors:

  • Use of innovative tools or methodologies (e.g., AI, predictive modeling, novel visualizations).
  • Unique approach to solving the problem that stands out from conventional methods.
  • Demonstrates creative thinking and problem-solving.

Scoring:

  • 5: Highly innovative: An original idea that breaks new ground, leveraging cutting-edge technologies or approaches. The solution stands out for its creativity and offers significant new insights.
  • 3-4: Moderately innovative: Builds on existing ideas with some new insights or creative elements. The solution is effective but may not introduce groundbreaking changes.
  • 1-2: Lacks innovation: Relies on conventional methods with minimal evidence of new thinking or creative problem-solving.

5. Replicability and Scalability (20%)

Definition: The extent to which the solution can be replicated or scaled across different regions, sectors, or datasets, and its potential for broader policy application.

Evaluation Factors:

  • Clear potential for replication across different policy areas or regions.
  • Feasibility of scaling the solution for broader use.
  • Well-documented steps and guidelines that make it easy for others to replicate, adapt, and implement the solution.
  • Evidence that the solution can handle larger datasets, more complex scenarios, or expanded geographical coverage without losing effectiveness.

Scoring:

  • 5: Highly replicable and scalable: The solution is clearly designed to be adapted and implemented across various regions, sectors, or datasets, with strong potential for wide application. Well-documented and easy to understand.
  • 3-4: Moderately replicable and scalable: The solution can be adapted but may require significant adjustments for broader use. Documentation is present but may need more clarity.
  • 1-2: Limited replicability and scalability: Difficult to adapt to other contexts, with unclear or insufficient documentation. The solution is confined to a specific scenario or application.

Each criterion is evaluated on a 5-point scale, with a total maximum score of 25 points. The weight for each criterion is 20%, so the overall score will be a sum of all weighted criteria

Weighting:

  • Relevance for Policy Use: 5/5 = 1.0 * 20% = 20
  • Methodological Soundness: 4/5 = 0.8 * 20% = 16
  • Communication: 4/5 = 0.8 * 20% = 16
  • Innovative Approach: 3/5 = 0.6 * 20% = 12
  • Replicability: 5/5 = 1.0 * 20% = 20

1. Eligibility

  • Teams must consist of [insert number, e.g., 3-5 members].
  • All participants must register for the event by the specified deadline.
  • Registration will be open for groups. The teams can change the team members 24 hours before the datathon starts.

2. Team Composition

  • Youth Category: Teams can be formed by students and young professionals aged 15-24 years.
  • Open Category: No age restrictions; open to all professionals, researchers, and enthusiasts.
  • This datathon is available for both Maldivians and foreign nationals residing in the Maldives.
  • Teams may include members joining virtually from different locations.
  • It is recommended to have participants from diverse backgrounds and gender representation in each team.

3. Participation Format

  • Teams can choose to participate either in-person or virtually.
  • Virtual participants must ensure they have a stable internet connection for seamless participation.

4. Project Focus

  • All projects must address the theme of the datathon: “SHAPING THE FUTURE OF WORK.”
  • Teams should present innovative solutions that effectively utilize data to address identified gaps and support policy development.

5. Data Usage

  • Teams may use publicly available datasets or gather new data, but all sources must be properly credited.
  • Private data sources or any sources that are not publicly available, including those with intellectual property restrictions, are strictly prohibited.

6. Equipment and Tools

  • All teams must provide their own equipment, tools, and licenses necessary for participation.

7. Code and Technical Checks

  • All submissions will be subjected to code checks and technical checks to ensure compliance with the rules and standards set by the organizers.
  • Teams must ensure that their code is well-documented and easy to understand.

8. Presentation

  • Each team will have a designated time to present their project (e.g., 7 minutes for presentation followed by 5 minutes for Q&A).
  • Teams should prepare a clear and concise presentation/demo to showcase their findings and solutions.

9. Rights to the Final Product

  • The rights to the final product created during the datathon will belong to the respective team. Teams are free to use, distribute, and further develop their projects as they see fit.

10. Judging Criteria

  • Projects will be evaluated based on relevance, data utilization, innovation, technical execution, clarity, impact, and teamwork.

11. Communication

  • Teams must remain accessible via designated communication channels throughout the datathon.
  • In-person teams should be present at the venue during the entire duration of the event (follow the schedule for availability).

12. Code of Conduct

  • All participants are expected to conduct themselves respectfully and professionally.
  • Any form of harassment or discrimination will not be tolerated and may result in disqualification.

13. Final Submissions

  • All final submissions must be uploaded to the designated platform by the specified deadline.
  • Teams must submit any code, documentation, and presentation materials as part of their final submission.

14. Disqualification

  • Teams may be disqualified for failing to adhere to the rules, engaging in dishonest practices, or not being present during their scheduled final pitch presentation.
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