Software Engineering Competition

All competitions should be prepared in advance and conducted on the day of the competition.

Deadline to register: October 10, 2025

"Needs Connect" is a web-based platform designed to bridge the gap between non-profit organizations and individuals or groups willing to help. The platform aims to streamline the process of identifying, managing, and fulfilling the unique needs of various non-profit organizations. By providing a centralized system, "Needs Connect" ensures that organizations can efficiently manage their needs, while helpers can easily find and support causes they care about.

• Students in grades 11 and 12 are invited to participate.
• Each school may register only one team, with a maximum of three students per team.
• All team members must be currently enrolled in grades 11 or 12.
• Each team must have a faculty advisor from their school.
• Teams must register by the specified deadline.
• Participants must adhere to the competition's code of conduct and rules.
• Any form of plagiarism or cheating will result in immediate disqualification.
• GitHub Submission: Teams must submit a link to their GitHub repository instead of a ZIP file. Each team member must commit to the project repository. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.

• Language: English
• Team Size: Maximum of 3 students per team
• Registration: Online registration via the official RIT Dubai website
• Originality: All code must be original and written by the team members
• GitHub Repository: Teams must submit a link to their GitHub repository. Each team member must commit to the project repository. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
• Logistics: Teams are responsible for bringing all necessary equipment for their presentation, including laptops, chargers, and any other devices. Only internet access and a projector will be provided by the organizers. Failure to bring the required equipment may result in disqualification.
• Code Functionality: Any code that does not function as intended will result in automatic disqualification of the team.

• Programming Languages Allowed: Java, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, react, angular
• Environment: Participants can use any IDE or text editor of their choice.
• Submission Format: Code must be submitted in a GitHub link containing all source files and a README file with instructions on how to run the code.
• Testing Environment: All submissions will be tested on windows with Java > 11, Node.js 14.15.0, and MariaDB installed.
• Internet Access: Participants will have access to the internet for research purposes but are not allowed to copy code directly from online sources.

• Login/Logout
  A simple login system where the server trusts the browser to identify the user. The system will differentiate between a Helper and a U-fund Manager based on the username.
• User Roles
  U-fund Manager: Logs in using the reserved username "admin".
  Helper: Any other username is assumed to be a Helper.
• Helper Functionality
  View Needs: Helpers can see a list of all current needs.
  Search Needs: Helpers can search for specific needs using keywords.
  Funding Basket: Helpers can add or remove needs to/from their funding basket.
  Checkout: Helpers can proceed to checkout and fund all needs in their basket.
• Needs Management
  Add/Remove/Edit Needs: U-fund Managers can add, remove, and edit the data of all needs in their "Cupboard".
  Privacy: U-fund Managers cannot see the contents of any funding basket.
• Data Persistence
  File Storage: The system will save all data in a database management system (MariaDB). Changes made by one user will be visible to the next user who logs in.
  Data Integrity: Ensure that data is consistently saved and retrieved from the database.
• 10% Additional Feature Enhancement
  Custom Workflow: The additional feature should reflect a custom workflow tailored to the chosen non-profit organization.
  Documentation: add a concise paragraph in the README that explains what the new 10 % feature does and how it fits the non-profit’s workflow.
  Complexity: The feature should be complex enough to be useful and reflect a unique workflow.
• 10% Feature Enhancement
  Priority and Time-Sensitive Needs Management.
  Feature: Implement a system to identify and sort higher priority, time-sensitive, or most frequently needed items. Establish means to sort and bundle basic needs like food, clothing, and toiletries. This could expand to neighborhood beautification services and many other types of volunteering activities.
  Justification: This feature will help the organization efficiently manage and prioritize needs, ensuring that critical requirements are met promptly.

Click here to register for the competition