In the digital age, virtually every aspect of people’s lives is connected through digital channels. On the positive side, this allows instant communication and information access, as well as global connectivity. But this connectivity also introduces a myriad of risks, with cybersecurity threats chief among them.
In such an environment, protecting sensitive information and critical infrastructure has never been more crucial. And yet, the cybersecurity industry is short 4 million workers.
That’s why we invited Tom Vazdar, the program chair of the Master in Enterprise Cybersecurity program at the Open Institute of Technology (OPIT), to shed light on cybersecurity’s critical role in safeguarding our interconnected world. Professor Vazdar will also walk us through the Enterprise Cybersecurity Master’s program at OPIT, explaining what makes it stand out among similar programs.
With extensive experience in various industries (like finance and manufacturing) and countless successful cybersecurity strategies, risk management frameworks, and compliance initiatives under his belt, Professor Vazdar is truly the one to consult. His take on the pressing challenges (and solutions) within the cybersecurity field is invaluable for future students and those already in the industry.
The Current State of Cybersecurity
As Professor Vazdar puts it, “We are living in an era where digital transformation is accelerating.” So, it’s not surprising that new trends (and challenges) continue to emerge in the field. Here’s what Professor Vazdar has to say about them.
Cyberattacks Are Increasing
According to the ISACA’s 2023 State of Cybersecurity report, 48% of organizations reported an increase in cyberattacks compared to the year prior. Professor Vazdar says that this primarily has to do with the increasing complexity of cyberthreats. Simply put, organizations can’t keep up with the escalating sophistication of these threats, resulting in their increased frequency.
But there’s another element to this alarming increase in the number of cyberattacks – a lack of transparency. You see, Professor Vazdar claims that many organizations are believed to underreport cyberattacks. Such underreporting might be due to concerns about reputational damage or regulatory consequences. Either way, it’s exceptionally harmful to the industry, as it hinders the ability to collaborate on developing effective countermeasures and strengthening collective cybersecurity defenses.
Cybersecurity Lacks Workers
As previously mentioned, the cybersecurity industry is experiencing a severe staffing challenge. Interestingly, this doesn’t mean the number of cybersecurity professionals is decreasing. It’s quite the opposite, really.
In 2023, the global cybersecurity workforce grew 8.7% to reach 5.5 million people, a record high. And yet, another 4 million professionals are needed to meet the escalating demand for cybersecurity. If there has ever been a stat to prove just how critical cybersecurity is, this undoubtedly does it.
New Technologies Are Constantly Adopted
Artificial intelligence. Machine learning. Cloud computing. Internet of Things. Blockchain technology. These are just some of the technologies Professor Vazdar singles out as transformative forces reshaping cybersecurity.
On the one hand, these technologies have the power to enhance threat detection and cybersecurity response. On the other, they can also introduce new vulnerabilities and threats, such as data poisoning. The worst part? We’ll let Professor Vazdar explain it:
“All of this has come in a really short period of time, and we, as people, are actually struggling to learn about all these new technologies.”
That’s why he emphasizes the need for continual education in the field, as this is the only way to stay ahead of the curve.
Cybersecurity Strategies Are Becoming Proactive and Predictive
Here’s how it used to be in the cybersecurity world, according to Professor Vazdar: A new massive threat would emerge every few years, affecting the whole world. In the aftermath, you would scramble a team together and work tirelessly for a few days to develop a patch or a solution.
As you can imagine, this approach is hardly viable in today’s oversaturated cybersecurity landscape. That’s why “we’re seeing a shift toward more proactive and more predictive security strategies,” as Professor Vazdar puts it.
Cyberpsychology Is Gaining Importance
Cyberpsychology is by no means a new concept. According to Professor Vazdar, this term was first used in 2008 by Professor Zheng Yan. However, its significance has grown exponentially in recent years. This field of study shifts the focus from the cyberthreat to the cyberattacker.
Its goal is to understand what these malicious actors are doing and why. The result? “We, as humans, know how to defend [ourselves].”
According to Professor Vazdar, this is the third (and most important) layer of defense against cyberthreats. The first concerns the physical environment (i.e., the computer and information systems), while the second is a logical layer that “connects everything together.”
No One Is Immune to Cyberthreats
There’s a common misconception that smaller organizations and individuals aren’t “appealing” to hackers and other malicious actors. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. No one is immune to cyberthreats, as cybercriminals always have something to gain (regardless of the target’s size or perceived importance).
That’s why investing in cybersecurity is crucial, whether you work for a small IT team or a huge company or just use technology in your day-to-day life.
Why Continuous Education Matters in Cybersecurity
There’s no doubt about it – cybersecurity should be a top priority for everyone in the industry and beyond. But as Professor Vazdar has underscored, what was effective in cybersecurity yesterday might not be sufficient today.
That’s why he emphasizes that “it’s important to get educated [now] more than ever.”
After all, there’s a single constant in the ever-changing cybersecurity field – humans as a crucial line of defense. The more people get educated, the more resilient the protection against cyberthreats becomes.
Why Pursue a Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity at OPIT
One of the postgraduate programs offered by OPIT is the Master of Science (MSc) in Enterprise Cybersecurity. This program is fully remote and can be completed in 12 to 18 months. But enough with the logistics – what makes this program the right choice for getting the much-needed education mentioned above?
Given that he practically shaped this program, Professor Vazdar is the best person to ask this question. He shares with us what makes this program uniquely positioned to prepare students for all the cybersecurity challenges he has touched on in this article.
A Comprehensive Curriculum
According to Professor Vazdar, the first thing that sets this program apart is “the curriculum depth and breadth.” This program covers various topics, from cybersecurity fundamentals (the first module) to advanced areas like AI-driven cybersecurity (the second module).
In other words, this program guarantees two things – a solid cybersecurity foundation and a deep dive into specialized topics. This focus makes it ideal for individuals seeking a well-rounded education in corporate cybersecurity, regardless of their previous experience in the field.
A Unique Structure
Unlike most programs in the industry, OPIT’s Enterprise Cybersecurity program doesn’t solely focus on the technical aspects of cybersecurity. But it doesn’t only dive into the managerial aspect of it either. Instead, it gives you just the “right blend of knowledge,” as Professor Vazdar puts it. Thanks to this approach, you can start working immediately after completing the program. After all, you’re all set skill-wise!
Alignment With Industry Certifications
Industry-standard certifications are becoming increasingly important, as most employers prioritize them when hiring new people. If you’re considering a career in cybersecurity, you’ll be happy to know that OPIT’s Enterprise Cybersecurity program is fully aligned with industry certifications like the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). As Professor Vazdar puts it, this ensures that OPIT graduates are “not only academically proficient but that they’re also industry-ready.”
It’s also important to note that this program is internationally recognized and ECTS-accredited by the European Agency for Higher Education and Accreditation.
An Emphasis on Practical Applications
The Enterprise Cybersecurity program places a strong emphasis on practical applications. After all, this is the only way for OPIT students to be industry-ready upon graduating. That’s why the entire third module of the program is dedicated to a Capstone project, a hands-on endeavor that also serves as your dissertation.
A Supportive Environment
One of the aspects of studying at OPIT we’re most proud of is our carefully crafted support team. From the class coordinator to the career advisors, everyone at OPIT has a single goal – to help you succeed.
To this end, all the professors in the Enterprise Cybersecurity program (and beyond) are either academics or experienced professionals with plenty of valuable insights “from the forefront of cybersecurity.”
This course includes interactive lessons, live lectures, and private mentoring sessions, ensuring you never feel alone or isolated at OPIT.
Unparalleled Flexibility
One of the primary reasons for choosing online studying is its incredible flexibility. But OPIT takes this aspect to another level. Besides dictating your own study pace, OPIT lets you choose from several elective courses, allowing you to tailor your learning to your interests and career goals. Professor Vazdar singles out the following courses as the most appealing in terms of what this article has discussed:
- Behavioral Cybersecurity
- Secure Software Development
- AI-Driven Forensic Analysis in Cybersecurity
Give Yourself a Competitive Edge With OPIT
OPIT’s Master of Science in Enterprise Cybersecurity program does much more than educate students. It also prepares them for the future, allowing them to become leaders in cybersecurity. As Professor Vazdar puts it, “Our graduate students will be well-equipped to tackle current and future cybersecurity challenges in different sectors.” And given just how quickly these challenges evolve, you can’t really put a price on such preparation (and education).
So, get in touch with our team of experts to give yourself a competitive edge in the dynamic field of cybersecurity.
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From the same author
Read the article2025 has come to a close, with 2026 already underway. There are many exciting events ahead and future milestones to aim for and look forward to. But it’s also the ideal time to look back over the last 12 months, exploring the most notable achievements we’ve made, lessons we’ve learned, and important moments to reflect on as the new year continues for OPIT’s staff, students, and broader community.
1. Student Commitment
Studying isn’t always easy. It involves long days, and even long evenings sometimes, with a seemingly never-ending series of tasks to accomplish and goals to aim for. It can take a lot out of even the most hard-working and dedicated individuals.
Yet, despite the hardships and challenges, OPIT students demonstrated remarkable resilience, continuous curiosity, and indefatigable determination throughout 2025. Looking back on the year, students at all levels of the OPIT community should feel proud and celebrate their accomplishments.
2. Podcast Launch
2025 saw a lot of new arrivals at OPIT, with fresh projects and innovations arriving on the scene. Chief among them was the OPIT EDGE Podcast, an exciting addition to the institute’s ever-expanding multimedia offerings.
There have already been several episodes of the podcast for students and technology enthusiasts in general to enjoy, with the first episode of this student-driven project involving an in-depth discussion with industry expert Matteo Zangani on the potential of quantum AI technology.
3. Success Stories
While many new students have joined the OPIT ranks in 2025 and will also do so in 2026, others have now achieved their educational objectives and are already moving on to the next exciting steps and chapters in their personal and professional lives.
There are so many inspiring success stories from the last 12 months, it’s impossible to list them all. But just one notable example has to be Maria Brilaki, who recently concluded her Master’s in Responsible AI, defending a powerful thesis related to non-invasive glucose monitoring through near-infrared spectroscopy and machine learning.
4. Graduation in Malta
2025 was a big year of firsts for OPIT, including the institute’s first official graduation ceremony, which took place on March 8 at a grand ceremony in Malta, honoring the achievements of dozens of applied data science and AI graduates.
The hybrid event was open to both in-person and virtual attendees, bringing together members of the OPIT community from across the world. It was a huge moment for the graduates themselves and a thrilling milestone for OPI – a testament to all the hard work that has gone into building this institute.
5. OPIT AI Copilot
Artificial intelligence is the technology of the moment, and OPIT isn’t just dedicated to teaching the next-generation of technology leaders how to work with AI responsibly and efficiently; it’s also interested in harnessing the powers and potential of AI to improve its educational offerings, too.
This culminated in the development and release of OPIT AI Copilot in 2025. This groundbreaking AI tool now provides real-time, personalized learning support, along with contextual assistance, and is available on a round-the-clock basis for students to turn to, as and when they feel the need.
6. Hackathons
2025 also saw OPIT students and faculty take more active roles in various events, including hackathons. In November, for example, OPIT got involved with the 6th edition of the ESCP Hackathon, with several students entering as developers.
This was an exciting and unique opportunity for those students to meet up in person, put the skills they’ve honed during their time at OPIT to the test in a challenging environment, and learn from one another. OPIT will surely participate in more hackathons in the years to come, so stay tuned for more details on upcoming events and how you can play your part.
7. Strengthening Collaboration
From day one, OPIT has focused on building a strong network of established technology and business partners, opening doors and providing opportunities for both education and employment for its students.
This continued throughout 2025, with OPIT strengthening its connections with a number of world-leading organizations, including Accenture, AWS, Hype, Buffetti, and more. Through events like hackathons, career fairs, and more, OPIT makes the most of its ever-expanding and increasingly impressive professional network.
8. Online Career Fair
Another big first for 2025 was the inaugural OPIT Online Career Fair, an event that was held on November 19 and 20, with more than a dozen established and emerging companies from around the world in attendance, including the likes of Deloitte, Tinexta Cyber, Datapizza, RWS Group, Planet Farms, and Nesperia Group.
The only nature of this event ensured that students all enjoyed equal access, no matter where they were based, and everyone was able to hear from industry experts and enjoy the unique array of opportunities on offer, forging their own connections and learning more about brands they might like to work with or for in the future.
9. Education Innovation
OPIT has always been about innovating, delivering newer and smarter ways to learn for students across the globe, no matter their background, budget, or social class. And the institute has continually innovated over the course of 2025, helping students learn skills and broaden their knowledge efficiently and intuitively.
As we enter 2026, OPIT’s innovation is set to be on full display once more, with no less than two new courses for new applicants to choose from: AI-Driven Software Development (Elective) and Business Intelligence and Decision Making (Elective).
10. The Power of the OPIT Community
Perhaps the crowning achievement for OPIT in 2025 was the demonstrable success of not just individual students or faculty members, but the entire OPIT community, as a whole. Everyone, from alumni to new students and seasoned staff members, played their part in the institute’s success, paving the way for more great things and major milestones in 2026 and beyond.
As OPIT Rector and former Italian Minister of Education, Francesco Profumo, puts it:
“What inspires me most is the mindset of our students: forward-looking, responsible, and driven by a desire not just to succeed, but to contribute. Their dedication reminds us why education remains one of the most powerful forces for shaping the future.”
Read the articleBring talented tech experts together, set them a challenge, and give them a deadline. Then, let them loose and watch the magic happen. That, in a nutshell, is what hackathons are all about. They’re proven to be among the most productive tech events when it comes to solving problems and accelerating innovation.
What Is a Hackathon?
Put simply, a hackathon is a short-term event – often lasting just a couple of days, or sometimes even only a matter of hours – where tech experts come together to solve a specific problem or come up with ideas based on a central theme or topic. As an example, teams might be tasked with discovering a new way to use AI in marketing or to create an app aimed at improving student life.
The term combines the words “hack” and “marathon,” due to how participants (hackers or programmers) are encouraged to work around-the-clock to create a prototype, proof-of-concept, or new solution. It’s similar to how marathon runners are encouraged to keep running, putting their skills and endurance to the test in a race to the finish line.
The Benefits of Hackathons
Hackathons provide value both for the companies that organize them and the people who take part. Companies can use them to quickly discover new ideas or overcome challenges, for example, while participants can enjoy testing their skills, innovating, networking, and working either alone or as part of a larger team.
Benefits for Companies and Sponsors
Many of the world’s biggest brands have come to rely on hackathons as ways to drive innovation and uncover new products, services, and opportunities. Meta, for example, the brand behind Facebook, has organized dozens of hackathons, some of which have led to the development of well-known Facebook features, like the “Like” button. Here’s how hackathons help companies:
- Accelerate Innovation: In fast-moving fields like technology, companies can’t always afford to spend months or years working on new products or features. They need to be able to solve problems quickly, and hackathons create the necessary conditions to deliver rapid success.
- Employee Development: Leading companies like Meta have started to use annual hackathons as a way to not only test their workforce’s skills but to give employees opportunities to push themselves and broaden their skill sets.
- Internal Networking: Hackathons also double up as networking events. They give employees from different teams, departments, or branches the chance to work with and learn from one another. This, in turn, can promote or reinforce team-oriented work cultures.
- Talent Spotting: Talents sometimes go unnoticed, but hackathons give your workforce’s hidden gems a chance to shine. They’re terrific opportunities to see who your best problem solvers and most creative thinkers at.
- Improving Reputation: Organizing regular hackathons helps set companies apart from their competitors, demonstrating their commitment to innovation and their willingness to embrace new ideas. If you want your brand to seem more forward-thinking and innovative, embracing hackathons is a great way to go about it.
Benefits for Participants
The hackers, developers, students, engineers, and other people who take part in hackathons arguably enjoy even bigger and better benefits than the businesses behind them. These events are often invaluable when it comes to upskilling, networking, and growing, both personally and professionally. Here are some of the main benefits for participants, explained:
- Learning and Improvement: Hackathons are golden opportunities for participants to gain knowledge and skills. They essentially force people to work together, sharing ideas, contributing to the collective, and pushing their own boundaries in pursuit of a common goal.
- Networking: While some hackathons are purely internal, others bring together different teams or groups of people from different schools, businesses, and places around the world. This can be wonderful for forming connections with like-minded individuals.
- Sense of Pride: Everyone feels a sense of pride after accomplishing a project or achieving a goal, but this often comes at the end of weeks or months of effort. With hackathons, participants can enjoy that same satisfying feeling after just a few hours or a couple of days of hard work.
- Testing Oneself: A hackathon is an amazing chance to put one’s skills to the test and see what one is truly capable of when given a set goal to aim for and a deadline to meet. Many participants are surprised to see how well they respond to these conditions.
- Boosting Skills: Hackathons provide the necessary conditions to hone and improve a range of core soft skills, such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, organization, and punctuality. By the end, participants often emerge with more confidence in their abilities.
Hackathons at OPIT
The Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) understands the unique value of hackathons and has played its part in sponsoring these kinds of events in the past. OPIT was one of the sponsors behind ESCPHackathon 6, for example, which involved 120 students given AI-related tasks, with mentorship and guidance from senior professionals and developers from established brands along the way.
Marco Fediuc, one of the participants, summed up the mood in his comments:
“The hackathon was a truly rewarding experience. I had the pleasure of meeting OPIT classmates and staff and getting to know them better, the chance to collaborate with brilliant minds, and the opportunity to take part in an exciting and fun event.
“Participating turned out to be very useful because I had the chance to work in a fast-paced, competitive environment, and it taught me what it means to stay calm and perform under pressure… To prospective Computer Science students, should a similar opportunity arise, I can clearly say: Don’t underestimate yourselves!”
The new year will also see the arrival of OPIT Hackathon 2026, giving more students the chance to test their skills, broaden their networks, and enjoy the one-of-a-kind experiences that these events never fail to deliver. This event is scheduled to be held February 13-15, 2026, and is open to all OPIT Bachelor’s and Master’s students, along with recent graduates. Interested parties have until February 1 to register.
-
Go to all authors
Related posts
2025 has come to a close, with 2026 already underway. There are many exciting events ahead and future milestones to aim for and look forward to. But it’s also the ideal time to look back over the last 12 months, exploring the most notable achievements we’ve made, lessons we’ve learned, and important moments to reflect on as the new year continues for OPIT’s staff, students, and broader community.
1. Student Commitment
Studying isn’t always easy. It involves long days, and even long evenings sometimes, with a seemingly never-ending series of tasks to accomplish and goals to aim for. It can take a lot out of even the most hard-working and dedicated individuals.
Yet, despite the hardships and challenges, OPIT students demonstrated remarkable resilience, continuous curiosity, and indefatigable determination throughout 2025. Looking back on the year, students at all levels of the OPIT community should feel proud and celebrate their accomplishments.
2. Podcast Launch
2025 saw a lot of new arrivals at OPIT, with fresh projects and innovations arriving on the scene. Chief among them was the OPIT EDGE Podcast, an exciting addition to the institute’s ever-expanding multimedia offerings.
There have already been several episodes of the podcast for students and technology enthusiasts in general to enjoy, with the first episode of this student-driven project involving an in-depth discussion with industry expert Matteo Zangani on the potential of quantum AI technology.
3. Success Stories
While many new students have joined the OPIT ranks in 2025 and will also do so in 2026, others have now achieved their educational objectives and are already moving on to the next exciting steps and chapters in their personal and professional lives.
There are so many inspiring success stories from the last 12 months, it’s impossible to list them all. But just one notable example has to be Maria Brilaki, who recently concluded her Master’s in Responsible AI, defending a powerful thesis related to non-invasive glucose monitoring through near-infrared spectroscopy and machine learning.
4. Graduation in Malta
2025 was a big year of firsts for OPIT, including the institute’s first official graduation ceremony, which took place on March 8 at a grand ceremony in Malta, honoring the achievements of dozens of applied data science and AI graduates.
The hybrid event was open to both in-person and virtual attendees, bringing together members of the OPIT community from across the world. It was a huge moment for the graduates themselves and a thrilling milestone for OPI – a testament to all the hard work that has gone into building this institute.
5. OPIT AI Copilot
Artificial intelligence is the technology of the moment, and OPIT isn’t just dedicated to teaching the next-generation of technology leaders how to work with AI responsibly and efficiently; it’s also interested in harnessing the powers and potential of AI to improve its educational offerings, too.
This culminated in the development and release of OPIT AI Copilot in 2025. This groundbreaking AI tool now provides real-time, personalized learning support, along with contextual assistance, and is available on a round-the-clock basis for students to turn to, as and when they feel the need.
6. Hackathons
2025 also saw OPIT students and faculty take more active roles in various events, including hackathons. In November, for example, OPIT got involved with the 6th edition of the ESCP Hackathon, with several students entering as developers.
This was an exciting and unique opportunity for those students to meet up in person, put the skills they’ve honed during their time at OPIT to the test in a challenging environment, and learn from one another. OPIT will surely participate in more hackathons in the years to come, so stay tuned for more details on upcoming events and how you can play your part.
7. Strengthening Collaboration
From day one, OPIT has focused on building a strong network of established technology and business partners, opening doors and providing opportunities for both education and employment for its students.
This continued throughout 2025, with OPIT strengthening its connections with a number of world-leading organizations, including Accenture, AWS, Hype, Buffetti, and more. Through events like hackathons, career fairs, and more, OPIT makes the most of its ever-expanding and increasingly impressive professional network.
8. Online Career Fair
Another big first for 2025 was the inaugural OPIT Online Career Fair, an event that was held on November 19 and 20, with more than a dozen established and emerging companies from around the world in attendance, including the likes of Deloitte, Tinexta Cyber, Datapizza, RWS Group, Planet Farms, and Nesperia Group.
The only nature of this event ensured that students all enjoyed equal access, no matter where they were based, and everyone was able to hear from industry experts and enjoy the unique array of opportunities on offer, forging their own connections and learning more about brands they might like to work with or for in the future.
9. Education Innovation
OPIT has always been about innovating, delivering newer and smarter ways to learn for students across the globe, no matter their background, budget, or social class. And the institute has continually innovated over the course of 2025, helping students learn skills and broaden their knowledge efficiently and intuitively.
As we enter 2026, OPIT’s innovation is set to be on full display once more, with no less than two new courses for new applicants to choose from: AI-Driven Software Development (Elective) and Business Intelligence and Decision Making (Elective).
10. The Power of the OPIT Community
Perhaps the crowning achievement for OPIT in 2025 was the demonstrable success of not just individual students or faculty members, but the entire OPIT community, as a whole. Everyone, from alumni to new students and seasoned staff members, played their part in the institute’s success, paving the way for more great things and major milestones in 2026 and beyond.
As OPIT Rector and former Italian Minister of Education, Francesco Profumo, puts it:
“What inspires me most is the mindset of our students: forward-looking, responsible, and driven by a desire not just to succeed, but to contribute. Their dedication reminds us why education remains one of the most powerful forces for shaping the future.”
Bring talented tech experts together, set them a challenge, and give them a deadline. Then, let them loose and watch the magic happen. That, in a nutshell, is what hackathons are all about. They’re proven to be among the most productive tech events when it comes to solving problems and accelerating innovation.
What Is a Hackathon?
Put simply, a hackathon is a short-term event – often lasting just a couple of days, or sometimes even only a matter of hours – where tech experts come together to solve a specific problem or come up with ideas based on a central theme or topic. As an example, teams might be tasked with discovering a new way to use AI in marketing or to create an app aimed at improving student life.
The term combines the words “hack” and “marathon,” due to how participants (hackers or programmers) are encouraged to work around-the-clock to create a prototype, proof-of-concept, or new solution. It’s similar to how marathon runners are encouraged to keep running, putting their skills and endurance to the test in a race to the finish line.
The Benefits of Hackathons
Hackathons provide value both for the companies that organize them and the people who take part. Companies can use them to quickly discover new ideas or overcome challenges, for example, while participants can enjoy testing their skills, innovating, networking, and working either alone or as part of a larger team.
Benefits for Companies and Sponsors
Many of the world’s biggest brands have come to rely on hackathons as ways to drive innovation and uncover new products, services, and opportunities. Meta, for example, the brand behind Facebook, has organized dozens of hackathons, some of which have led to the development of well-known Facebook features, like the “Like” button. Here’s how hackathons help companies:
- Accelerate Innovation: In fast-moving fields like technology, companies can’t always afford to spend months or years working on new products or features. They need to be able to solve problems quickly, and hackathons create the necessary conditions to deliver rapid success.
- Employee Development: Leading companies like Meta have started to use annual hackathons as a way to not only test their workforce’s skills but to give employees opportunities to push themselves and broaden their skill sets.
- Internal Networking: Hackathons also double up as networking events. They give employees from different teams, departments, or branches the chance to work with and learn from one another. This, in turn, can promote or reinforce team-oriented work cultures.
- Talent Spotting: Talents sometimes go unnoticed, but hackathons give your workforce’s hidden gems a chance to shine. They’re terrific opportunities to see who your best problem solvers and most creative thinkers at.
- Improving Reputation: Organizing regular hackathons helps set companies apart from their competitors, demonstrating their commitment to innovation and their willingness to embrace new ideas. If you want your brand to seem more forward-thinking and innovative, embracing hackathons is a great way to go about it.
Benefits for Participants
The hackers, developers, students, engineers, and other people who take part in hackathons arguably enjoy even bigger and better benefits than the businesses behind them. These events are often invaluable when it comes to upskilling, networking, and growing, both personally and professionally. Here are some of the main benefits for participants, explained:
- Learning and Improvement: Hackathons are golden opportunities for participants to gain knowledge and skills. They essentially force people to work together, sharing ideas, contributing to the collective, and pushing their own boundaries in pursuit of a common goal.
- Networking: While some hackathons are purely internal, others bring together different teams or groups of people from different schools, businesses, and places around the world. This can be wonderful for forming connections with like-minded individuals.
- Sense of Pride: Everyone feels a sense of pride after accomplishing a project or achieving a goal, but this often comes at the end of weeks or months of effort. With hackathons, participants can enjoy that same satisfying feeling after just a few hours or a couple of days of hard work.
- Testing Oneself: A hackathon is an amazing chance to put one’s skills to the test and see what one is truly capable of when given a set goal to aim for and a deadline to meet. Many participants are surprised to see how well they respond to these conditions.
- Boosting Skills: Hackathons provide the necessary conditions to hone and improve a range of core soft skills, such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, organization, and punctuality. By the end, participants often emerge with more confidence in their abilities.
Hackathons at OPIT
The Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) understands the unique value of hackathons and has played its part in sponsoring these kinds of events in the past. OPIT was one of the sponsors behind ESCPHackathon 6, for example, which involved 120 students given AI-related tasks, with mentorship and guidance from senior professionals and developers from established brands along the way.
Marco Fediuc, one of the participants, summed up the mood in his comments:
“The hackathon was a truly rewarding experience. I had the pleasure of meeting OPIT classmates and staff and getting to know them better, the chance to collaborate with brilliant minds, and the opportunity to take part in an exciting and fun event.
“Participating turned out to be very useful because I had the chance to work in a fast-paced, competitive environment, and it taught me what it means to stay calm and perform under pressure… To prospective Computer Science students, should a similar opportunity arise, I can clearly say: Don’t underestimate yourselves!”
The new year will also see the arrival of OPIT Hackathon 2026, giving more students the chance to test their skills, broaden their networks, and enjoy the one-of-a-kind experiences that these events never fail to deliver. This event is scheduled to be held February 13-15, 2026, and is open to all OPIT Bachelor’s and Master’s students, along with recent graduates. Interested parties have until February 1 to register.
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