DS2S Hackathon 2026: USSH students develop digital skills and creative thinking.

An academic and practical playground for students.
Organized within the framework of the Digital Skills to Succeed (DS2S) project, the competition aims to promote the development of core competencies of digital citizens in the new era among students, including: problem-solving with digital technology, data thinking, creativity and innovation, collaboration in interdisciplinary environments, entrepreneurial thinking, as well as awareness of responsible, ethical and inclusive technology.
A notable aspect of the DS2S Hackathon 2026 is that the program is designed not only for engineering or technology students, but is also particularly suitable for students from various fields of study, including social sciences and humanities.
Encouraging the use of digital tools, no-code tools, and innovative thinking to build solutions, the competition opens up opportunities for students of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU Hanoi (USSH) to confidently participate, develop their strengths in social thinking, problem identification, context analysis, content creation, and connecting humanistic values ​​with technology.
Learn from practice, grow through experience.
More than just a competition, DS2S Hackathon 2026 is designed as an in-depth learning experience, where students are exposed to real-world problems, work in teams to develop solutions, and present their products to a panel of experts. The challenges in the competition are linked to issues posed by businesses, experts, or the socio-professional context, thereby helping students better understand the connection between academic knowledge, digital skills, and the practical needs of today's labor market.
Furthermore, students will not participate alone, but will receive support from lecturers and a team of experts. Before the hackathon, the program organizes an orientation bootcamp to help learners understand problem-solving approaches, grasp business expectations, and define the direction for developing solutions.
This is an opportunity for students to practice and demonstrate many important skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, time management, project development, idea presentation, solution critique, and adaptability to an interdisciplinary collaborative environment.
Opportunities for USSH students
The DS2S Hackathon 2026 is an opportunity to affirm that students in the social sciences and humanities are not outside the digital transformation process, but can participate actively, creatively, and responsibly. Their strengths in interdisciplinary thinking, ability to analyze social issues, communication skills, content creation, information organization, user research, and understanding of socio-cultural context are crucial foundations for USSH students to build solutions that are in-depth, humane, and applicable.
This also provides learners with an opportunity to broaden their experiences, step outside the traditional classroom, and participate in an innovative, dynamic, and practice-oriented learning environment.
Beyond academic value and experience, students participating in the program also have the opportunity to receive a certificate of participation, connect with the innovation ecosystem, access internship opportunities through the program's platform, and, for outstanding teams, may be selected to participate in the final showcase in October 2026.
How do students participate?
According to the program guidelines, students need to register on the official DS2S Hackathon 2026 platform and then complete the required micro-credentials before forming a team. Specifically, each student needs to complete at least one GIZ micro-credential and one IBM or Cisco micro-credential, with each course lasting approximately 15 hours.
Following this phase, students will participate in an orientation bootcamp and form teams. Each team consists of 3 to 4 members, which can be flexibly formed among students from the same or different majors, or from the same or different universities within the program network.
During the hackathon, teams will develop ideas and build solutions based on four major themes of the program: AI for Social Good, Data Driven Solutions, Digital Entrepreneurship, and Inclusive & Ethical Technology.
Entries can be submitted in various forms such as PowerPoint presentations, project reports, solution descriptions, UI/UX designs, prototypes, or other supporting documents.
Entries will be judged based on key criteria including: level of innovation and creativity, relevance to the hackathon theme, feasibility of practical implementation, social or economic impact, and clarity in presenting the solution.
Quick facts about the DS2S Hackathon 2026
This competition is part of the Digital Skills to Succeed (DS2S) project.
Target participants:Students from universities within the program network, including the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU Hanoi.
Participation format: Teams, each team consisting of 3 to 4 members. No limit on the number of teams.
Contest theme:
- AI for Social Good
- Data Driven Solutions
- Digital Entrepreneurship
- Inclusive & Ethical Technology
Requirements before joining a team:Complete one GIZ micro-credential and one IBM or Cisco micro-credential; each course is approximately 15 hours long.
Key benefits:Certificate of participation; opportunities to network with experts and the innovation ecosystem; access to internship opportunities; and the chance to participate in the final showcase for selected teams.
Key dates:
- Registration period: March 9, 2026 - April 7, 2026
- Submission of micro-credentials: March 9, 2026 - April 25, 2026
- Bootcamp: May 4, 2026 - May 6, 2026
- Team formation: May 7, 2026 - May 10, 2026
- Hackathon: May 11, 2026 - May 13, 2026
- Deadline for product submission: May 13, 2026
- Review period: May 13, 2026 - May 21, 2026
- Results will be announced on May 25, 2026.
Showcase: October 2026.
- Registration portal:digitalskillstosucceed.itrackglobal.com
The University of Social Sciences and Humanities encourages students to proactively learn about, register for, and be ready to conquer this meaningful experiential journey. This is an opportunity for each student to try out a new role, discover their own abilities, expand their network, accumulate practical experience, and contribute to creating positive solutions for the community in the digital age.
Let's start today: register, complete the micro-credential, find the right teammates, and join DS2S Hackathon 2026 with a spirit of creativity, responsibility, and dedication.