About WISH
Women in STEM Hackathon is a 24-hour offline hackathon for girls, where participants team up in groups of 2 to 4 to solve practical challenges from sponsors in the fields of Data Science, ML, and AI. We welcome high school, college, and university students aged 16 and over. Additionally, all registered participants will receive access to exclusive video lessons covering the essential tools and methods commonly used at hackathons.
When?
March 14-15, 2026
Where?
Nazarbayev University
Astana, Kazakhstan
Who?
Female students, 16+
Prize Fund
1 200 000 ₸ 1 200 000 ₸ 1 200 000 ₸
Benefits
Preparation tips video lessons after registration
Hands-on experience in Data Science, ML & AI
1 200 000 ₸ Prize Fund and Exclusive Merchandise
Welcome Package for the first 50 participants
Career opportunities as ML Engineers
Coffee Breaks & Engaging Activities
New technical skills & real teamwork experience
Certificates of Participation for every participant
Schedule
February 24 - March 11
Registration Period
March 11 - 13
Participation Confirmation Period
March 14 - 15
Women in STEM Hackathon
March 14
9:00
Registration
9:00
Registration
10:00
Opening Ceremony
10:00
Opening Ceremony
11:00
Case Presentations by Companies + Q&A
11:00
Case Presentations by Companies + Q&A
12:00
Coding Begins
12:00
Coding Begins
14:00
Coffee Break
14:00
Coffee Break
March 15
12:00
Case Submission Deadline
12:00
Case Submission Deadline
13:00
Pizza Break
13:00
Pizza Break
13:30
Presentation Deadline
13:30
Presentation Deadline
14:00
Pitching + Activities
14:00
Pitching + Activities
17:00
Closing Ceremony
17:00
Closing Ceremony
Sponsors
Partners
Info Partners
Gallery
FAQ
What is WISH?
Women in STEM Hackathon (WISH) is a 24-hour offline hackathon for girls, where participants team up to solve practical challenges from sponsors in Data Science, ML, and AI. It is an intensive event designed for those who dream of building a career in the world of high-tech and innovation.
Who are the organisers of WISH?
The organizer is the NU ACM-W Student Chapter - the first and only branch of ACM-Women in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. Our mission is to support women in STEM fields, especially in IT, through initiatives that foster social, professional, and technical growth.
Who can participate?
We welcome high school, college, and university students aged 16 and above. Participation is in teams of 2 to 4 people.
What if I don't have a team?
Don't worry! You can find teammates in our dedicated WISH Telegram chat, where other participants are also looking for partners.
Do I need to be a professional?
No, everyone interested in Data Science and AI is welcome! To help you prepare, all registered participants will receive access to exclusive video lessons covering essential tools and methods used at hackathons.
Can I participate online?
No, WISH will be held offline at Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan.
How can I participate?
Form a team of 2-4 people and register through our website. Registration is open from February 24 to March 11, 2026. Please note that every team member must register individually through the website.
Will participants receive certificates or prizes?
Yes! The total prize fund is 1 200 000 ₸. Winners will also receive exclusive merchandise, and the first 50 participants will get a special Welcome Package. Every participant will receive a certificate of participation. Moreover, the best-performing participants will have the chance to receive job offers or internship opportunities from our partners.
Are there any other events for girls?
Yes! NU ACM-W SC annually organizes events for girls such as Women's Hack Day - 3-round team competition for girls (product design, mathematics, programming), CodeW - an individual competitive programming contest, and Code Girl Summer - a two-week web development camp. You can find more details and information on our Telegram and Instagram pages.
I didn't find an answer to my question. What should I do?
Join our Telegram chat and ask your questions there, or contact us via email: acm_w@nu.edu.kz.