Skyline University College’s Mapathon

Due to the significance of maps in responding to disasters and the delivery of healthcare, Skyline University College`s Services Committee organized a Mapathon in collaboration with MSF (Doctors without Borders) in Dubai and Missing Maps Team in Spring 2019. Mapathon is a humanitarian project aimed at putting the world`s most vulnerable people/places on the map.      

The Mapathon was intended to contribute to the fulfillment of Skyline University College`s vision to be a globally renowned university that nurtures the spirit of innovation and creativity. With the assistance of MSF, the Mapathon was an opportunity for students and other volunteers to digitally navigate and map of more than 550 building in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The data that students and other volunteers generated will be used by local and international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) to better respond to the crises affecting the world`s most vulnerable places.

Specifically, Skyline University College`s Mapathon was an outlet for BSIT and Business School`s students and other volunteers to use IT tools available at the campus to expand SUC`s community services internationally, and more importantly, take part in one of the most recurrent and timely humanitarian projects.

Students and other volunteers were given a training session on the concept of Mapathon by Jan Böhm, Missing Maps Communications and Community Engagement Manager, MSF Geneva. Mr. Jan was supported by Rasha Ahmed, Digital Communications Manager and Estelle Januel, Communication Assistant, MSF, Dubai.