CAU Tech Hackathon 2026: How One of the Region’s Largest Technology Events Will Take Place
CAU Tech Hackathon 2026 will take place on March 27–28 at Central Asian University and will become one of the largest technology platforms in the region, bringing together 1,200 participants from 17 countries.
The event will feature competitions across three tracks: AI in Healthcare, Cybersecurity CTF, and Robotics Challenge. A record prize pool of 456,000 UZS has been announced.
The competitions are designed for university students as well as high school students in senior grades.
AI in Healthcare
The AI in Healthcare track is an international hackathon focused on developing artificial intelligence solutions for the medical field. Undergraduate students from universities around the world will take part.
Teams of four participants are required, with at least one team member having expertise in artificial intelligence or computer science.
The hackathon follows a 36-hour development format, during which participants create AI solutions for real-world medical challenges.
At the start of the competition, teams receive a shared dataset and a problem statement. Over the course of the hackathon, participants develop a machine learning model and demonstrate its potential application in medical practice.
Projects are evaluated based on the following criteria:
model performance and accuracy
level of innovation
handling of errors and edge cases
user interface design
quality of the final presentation
Winners are determined based on the total score across all criteria.
Cybersecurity CTF
The Cybersecurity CTF (Capture the Flag) track is a hands-on cybersecurity competition designed for university students.
Teams of four participants solve information security challenges and capture digital “flags” that confirm successful task completion.
The challenges cover key areas of cybersecurity:
web exploitation
reverse engineering
cryptography
digital forensics
operating systems
OSINT (open-source intelligence)
Each task has a dynamic scoring system: its value decreases as more teams successfully solve it.
Strict rules are enforced to ensure fair competition:
the use of generative AI is prohibited
external communication is not allowed
participants may only use the official event network
mobile devices must be turned off
During the competition, teams analyze digital systems, identify vulnerabilities, and submit captured flags for validation.
Robotics Challenge (for Grades 10–11 Students)
The Robotics Challenge is an engineering competition designed for high school students in grades 10–11. Participants build robots and compete in several technical categories, demonstrating skills in programming, engineering design, and algorithmic thinking.
Competition categories include:
Fast Line Following
In this category, robots must complete a track as quickly as possible by following a line. The track includes:
smooth turns
sharp angles
broken line segments
complex trajectories
The competition is held in several stages: qualification, semifinals, and finals.
Autonomous Sumo Robot
In the Mini Sumo category, two autonomous robots compete in a circular arena. The objective is to push the opponent out of the ring.
Technical requirements:
fully autonomous operation
maximum size: 25 × 25 cm
maximum weight: 1.5 kg
remote control is prohibited
The competition is held in multiple stages, including group rounds, playoffs, and final matches.
CAU Tech Hackathon 2026 will bring together 1,200 participants from 17 countries to solve challenges at the intersection of technology, healthcare, and cybersecurity.