EduAsiaNews, Bandung — Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) has become the first institution in Indonesia to be officially appointed by the Harvard Health System Innovation Lab (HSIL), under the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, as one of the organizers of the 7th Annual Hackathon 2026. This international event, scheduled to take place at ITB’s Ganesha Campus on April 10–11, 2026, will bring together innovators to develop solutions to various challenges within healthcare systems.
This event serves as a platform for Indonesian innovators to create impactful and sustainable health system–based innovations at the global level. Each year, HSIL organizes hackathons in collaboration with countries and institutions worldwide.
In 2025, HSIL engaged more than 500 teams across 19 global hubs, making it the largest hackathon event of its kind.
The 7th Annual Harvard HSIL Hackathon 2026 is recorded as the largest in its history, with participation surpassing previous years. HSIL reported that this year it is collaborating with 36 hubs across more than 50 countries worldwide, with over 13,000 registrants.
As the first official hub host in Indonesia, ITB has secured a position among the Top 3 Country Hubs globally in terms of participant numbers. A total of 804 registrants submitted 243 ideas and innovations from across the nation. Of these, 41 teams have advanced to the final stage.
Dozens of these innovative teams will compete throughout the hackathon series, with winning teams invited to participate in the HSIL Venture Incubation Program, which runs for several weeks to support further development.
The Chair of the Organizing Committee, Ir. Devi Willieam Anggara, S.T., M.Phil., Ph.D., IPP, stated that this achievement demonstrates ITB’s role as a prestigious collaborative platform that brings together academics, innovative talents, and industry players to develop AI-based technological solutions with tangible impact on global healthcare systems. ITB’s participation as an official global hub represents not only academic collaboration but also a significant momentum in advancing Indonesia’s contribution to global health innovation.
The first day of activities will begin with a hybrid session with Harvard HSIL, followed by parallel hack sessions and mentoring sessions. On the second day, participants will present their ideas in a pitching session.
The Harvard HSIL Hackathon 2026 hosted at ITB serves as a gateway for innovators from diverse backgrounds to enter the international stage. Winners will represent Indonesia globally and gain opportunities to present their innovations directly to international investors.
As a collaborative partner in this international event, ITB demonstrates its strategic role not only in producing outstanding graduates but also as a center of innovation that delivers real-world impact. Through this program, ITB continues to strengthen its commitment to nurturing young innovators and future leaders who are ready to contribute to building an advanced and intelligent Indonesia.
