The Rotaract Club of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo together with the Planetary Health Network of the UCFM conducted a Planetary Health Hackathon as a part of the Colombo Medical Congress,on the 7th of December 2023 from 9.00 a.m onwards at the UCFM Tower. The hackathon, ‘Rescue Mission: Planet Earth’, brought together 6 student teams from the faculty who showcased their innovative ideas on how to help save our ailing planet.
The day began with introductory speeches about Planetary Health by Prof. Saroj Jayasinghe and Prof. Tharanga Thoradeniya, and then a inspiring and compelling call to action on Planetary Health by Mrs. Kanchana Weerakoon, the Founder President of Eco-friendly volunteers.
Following this there was an intense and highly enjoyable brainstorming session where the students further analyzed the problems they had identified around faculty and came up with refined, sustainable and practical ways to overcome them by taking into consideration the invaluable input given by their mentors from the faculty as well as the invited external resource people and speakers who were keen to share their expertise and enthusiasm.
The groups then pitched the solutions they came up with, which would have to be implemented within 3 months, to the esteemed panel of judges and the 3 best teams received gifts. All the teams were applauded for their effort and were encouraged to implement their projects with the pledged support of the UCFM Planetary Health Network and the resource people.
It was truly gratifying to witness everyone- both young and old, students and lecturers, experts and amateurs, come together to find sustainable solutions for the betterment of the Faculty and Mother Nature. The Hackathon was a day of innovation and productive discussion and has most definitely planted the seeds of interest and effective environmental action within the faculty which will lead to lasting change in the future.
