Frequently asked questions
Entering the hackathon is free. Summit tickets are sold separately, from RM 350 for students.
What is MIT Hacking Medicine Malaysia?
A hackathon and a summit on diabetes prevention and early care, held together over four days in Kuala Lumpur.
What is the challenge?
Every team works on the same challenge, reimagining the future of diabetes prevention and early care.
Who can participate?
Doctors, nurses, researchers, students, engineers, designers, entrepreneurs, data scientists, public-health professionals, patients and caregivers.
Do I need medical or technical experience?
No. Teams are built from people with different backgrounds. You do not need a finished product or an idea to start with.
Do I need a team before registering?
No. Most people come on their own. Teams form on the Friday evening, after the problems have been pitched.
How are participants selected?
Every application is vetted thoroughly across a range of parameters, including skills, experience, background and motivation, so that the participants selected cover many different skill sets and every team is balanced. Applications are then evaluated by our team of experts. Nobody is chosen or turned down for the theme they mention, for applying alone, or for having no medical or technical background. You need to be 18 or over and able to be there for all three days. Everyone hears by email, whichever way it goes. When there are more strong applications than places, some people go on a waiting list and are offered places as they open.
When will I hear?
Everyone who applied hears by email, whichever way it goes. We will tell you the date as soon as it is set.
What happens during the hackathon?
Pick a problem, form a team, understand the user, build a prototype with mentors and pitch it to the judges. MIT Hacking Medicine has run this format more than three hundred times.
Do I choose a theme when I apply?
No. Precision glucose management, predictive intelligence and digital therapeutics are examples of what a team might build for. Teams choose their problem at the event, after the problems have been pitched.
Is the event only for people from Malaysia?
No. Participants from Malaysia and from anywhere else are welcome. Travel and accommodation are not covered for anyone, so plan for those costs before you apply.
Is travel or accommodation covered?
No. Everyone pays for their own travel to Kuala Lumpur and their own accommodation, including participants from outside Malaysia. A selected participant's hackathon place is free, with food and materials during the three days. The dates and the city are fixed, so you can book now. If you need an invitation letter for a Malaysian visa, say so on your application.
How much does it cost?
Entering the hackathon is free, and so is a selected participant's place. Tickets are sold for the summit only. Travel and accommodation are not covered.
Is there a student ticket?
Yes. A student ticket for the summit is RM 350. Upload your student ID when you book; a person checks it before the ticket is valid, and one student ID covers one ticket.
Can I attend the summit without joining the hackathon?
Yes. Buy a summit ticket and come on the Monday.
What will I get out of taking part?
Mentoring from MIT alumni and local professionals, three days building a solution to a real healthcare problem, and a pitch to the judges on the Sunday.
Will there be mentors and judges?
Yes. MIT alumni alongside local professionals in the field.
Are there prizes?
Yes. Winning teams receive prizes. Outstanding participants may also be considered for future MIT Hacking Medicine opportunities, subject to the relevant programme’s selection criteria and confirmation.
What should I bring?
A laptop, a charger, identification and a notebook.
Will food be provided?
Yes. It is a full-day event: breakfast, lunch and a tea break each day.
Can patients, caregivers or people living with diabetes take part?
Yes. People who live with diabetes, or care for someone who does, are welcome on any team.
How is intellectual property handled?
Teams retain ownership of the ideas and prototypes they create, subject to the event terms. Any later investment, collaboration or commercial agreement is separate from the event and must be negotiated by the parties involved.
Will my idea be kept confidential?
The event includes public problem pitches, team discussions and final presentations. Do not disclose confidential information unless a written agreement is in place. The participation terms set expectations for photography, presentations and public pitches.
Can I keep developing my project afterwards?
Yes. Teams can continue developing their projects after the event. Selected teams may also choose to continue conversations with relevant mentors, incubators, partners or funders, depending on mutual interest, readiness and fit.
Is this an official MIT event?
Yes. It is an official MIT Hacking Medicine event.
Still not sure?
Send us the question and somebody on the team answers it, usually the same day.
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