Data Bootcamp Karachi: Building a better Pakistan with data

Data bootcamp Karachi was a three day event, the first of its kind in Karachi, organized by IBA University. The purpose of the workshop was to make journalists know how they can work with technologists (programmers and designers) to build better products.

Panel discussing the possibilities of data in Pakistan

Agenda of Data bootcamp Karachi

Around 50 people participated in the event. The event was divided into several parts. The first day was the hands-on training session. In this session, professionals from Code of Africa and Hacks hackers Pakistan gave training on multiple tools.

Participants of the bootcamp displaying their product

Speakers of D|BootCamp Karachi

Notable speakers of the event were Justin Arenstein of Code of Africa, Shaharyar Popalzai of Hacks Hackers Pakistan, Friedrich Lindenberg of Code for Africa, Zahid Abdullah of CPDI, Hamza Humayun & Fahad Sultan of Technology for People Initiative (LUMS), Serah Njambi-Rono of Code for Africa, Rahma  Mian of ICFJ, Amna Iqbal Creative Head, Dawn Media Group gave trainings during the workshop. At the end, a panel discussion session on Panel Discussion: Challenges and Possibilities of Working with Data in Pakistan  by speakers Asif Saeed Memon, SDPI/data.org.pk
Saman Naz, Alif Ailaan Burhan Rasool, Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), Govt of Punjab Fahim Zaman, Dawn GIS took place. It was moderated by Khurram Hussain.

Team of Code for Pakistan. Friedrich Lindenberg (left), Justin Arenstein (Right)

Startups & Pitching Session at D|BootCamp

The participants of the event gave their ideas on how they can make products to change the way the city works. The shortlisted teams included:

  • Bus Services in Karachi
  • Rehabilitation Centres for PWD in Pakistan
  • Intelligent investing
  • Mobile Education
  • Taxlytics
  • Minorities Report
  • Mustaqbil
  • Honour Crimes
  • Kitnay Ka – Price Comparison App
  • Crime Alert

While the finalists were…

  • Minorities Report
  • Mustaqbil
  • Honour Crimes
  • Kitnay Ka – Price Comparison App
  • Crime Alert

The winners of D|BootCamp:

  • Honour Crimes
  • Kitnay Ka – Price Comparison
  • Mustaqbil

Ideas of the winners:

  • Honour Crimes

The web based portal collected information from HRCP, newspapers and multiple other sources. The portal would also be having different features like resource directory through which people can get information about relevant NGOs, activist groups, doctors, psychologists, lawyers, etc.

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT? We are different because we will be providing greater detail, better coverage, graphical and easy to use data. This platform will also be unique in the sense that the existing statics of incidences is available in a non-coherent fashion and since this is a prevalent issue, this website will be bringing the issue on the forefront in a holistic way.

  • Kitnay Ka – Price Comparison

People cannot compare price of products in market in real-time. Cannot find where the product with lowest cost is available and have no idea how to complain to the authority in case of being overcharged. Unless media makes a noise about it. But as media needs data, but no data is available for them. So, we will be solving that problem. The web app (KITNAY KA) will be generating heat maps based on user input that will be geo tagged thus providing evidence based reporting for journalists so to create the pressure on policy makers to curb the malicious practice. What we will be doing: 1. Getting user input about prices by users (by App and SMS) 2. Providing them with official price information in an easy manner. 3. Generating heat maps highlighting areas with high inflation 4. Providing user complaint to commissioner.

The app is already available on bit.ly/kitnayka and you can get the price information by sending boot-1 to 80024.

  • Mustaqbil

Problem: Job trend reports are not available for PK on a periodic basis.

Solution: Provide monthly interactive report by geography and sector with contextual analysis.

Data sources: Initially rozee.pk, then newspaper ads scanning and using OCR apps and other portals.

Competition: Gartner does regional analysis but it is paid.

Source

 

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*