NT innovation on show at IT Code Fair

The latest in web and smart phone coding technology will be on display at Charles Darwin University as students go head-to-head as part of the inaugural IT Code Fair tomorrow (Friday, 14 November).

IT and software engineering students will compete in a coding competition while also showcasing their skills to industry representatives and future employers.

Student projects range from an app that can transmit top secret messages or codes, to integrated learning games such as a mind reader app and an online bookshop for buying and selling second hand books.

Pankaj Kashyap is part of a team of students which developed the “Steganography” app as part of the Masters in IT and Software Engineering. The software allows for information to be hidden or imbedded behind an image and transmitted.

“This technology could be used for transmitting personal information that could be at risk of cyber intrusion such as bank account information,” Pankaj said. “Only those with a secure key can open the message. Others just see the image.

“There is a real need for this type of technology, particularly in the convenient form of a mobile app.”

Senior Lecturer in IT Barbara White said that along with the coding competition the event would provide an opportunity for local high school students to learn about coding and potential pathways for future careers in IT through a series of “Hour of Code” workshops.

“The ‘Hour of Code’ workshops are part of a global movement reaching tens of millions of students in more than 180 countries, supported by Microsoft, Apple and Amazon,” Ms White said.

“These workshops introduce students to code and provide opportunities for students to create technology. No experience is necessary.”

Ms White said that other activities on the day included speed dating, where CDU undergraduate and post graduate students nearing graduation would be given an opportunity in one minute to pitch their skills and achievements to IT employers. Employers will then have two minutes to ask questions before the students rotate to the next employer.

The IT Code Fair is on Friday, 14 November from 10am to 2pm in Building Pink 7, CDU Casuarina campus.