On the evening of April 15, 2023, the University of Salahaddin-Erbil proudly joined the final Google Hash Code Farewell Round, one of the world’s most prestigious team-based programming competitions. This special edition marked the end of nearly a decade of Hash Code events, bringing together programmers, students, and professionals from across the globe to solve challenging real-world engineering problems.
As part of our participation, Salahaddin University-Erbil was honored to be the guest of the University of Kurdistan-Hawler (UKH), which hosted a local hub for the competition. The event brought together bright minds from universities, tech communities, and coding enthusiasts across Iraq, united by a shared passion for problem-solving and innovation.
A Night of Innovation and Teamwork
Representing Salahaddin University-Erbil were several student teams, each tackling the demanding programming challenges with determination and creativity. The competition format required teamwork, algorithmic thinking, and the ability to optimize solutions under intense time pressure.
The atmosphere at UKH was electric—teams collaborated intensely, tested algorithms, and refined code until the very last minutes of submission. Our participation was more than just a contest; it was a celebration of collaboration between two leading Kurdish universities, strengthening ties within the academic and tech community.
First Place in Iraq — A Landmark Achievement
Among our participants, one Salahaddin University-Erbil team achieved an extraordinary milestone—securing first place across all teams in Iraq for this final Hash Code edition. This remarkable performance was a testament to their technical expertise, strategic thinking, and months of preparation.
This victory not only brought pride to the university but also garnered significant media attention. Local news outlets and the university’s own communications channels highlighted this accomplishment, celebrating our students as role models for aspiring programmers and innovators.
Impact and Legacy
Participating in the final Google Hash Code was more than a competition—it was a defining moment for our students and the university’s tech community. It showcased our ability to compete at the highest level and reinforced Salahaddin University-Erbil’s reputation as a hub for talent in computer science and engineering.
Key Achievements:
- First place among all Iraqi teams in the final Google Hash Code
- Successful collaboration between Salahaddin University-Erbil and UKH
- Media recognition highlighting our students’ excellence
- Strengthened reputation in computer science and programming
- Inspiration for future generations of programmers
The Competition Experience
The Google Hash Code competition challenged teams to solve complex optimization problems within a limited timeframe. Our students demonstrated exceptional skills in:
- Algorithmic Problem Solving: Breaking down complex challenges into manageable components
- Team Collaboration: Working effectively under pressure to optimize solutions
- Code Optimization: Developing efficient algorithms that could handle large-scale data
- Strategic Thinking: Making critical decisions about approach and implementation
As the curtains closed on the Hash Code era, our university stands proud of its role in the competition’s legacy. This achievement will inspire future generations to pursue excellence in programming, teamwork, and problem-solving.