What is the Makeathon? The Friends of MSF Makeathon is a transformative humanitarian innovation programme bringing students, of multiple disciplines, together to develop prototypes and solve real Humanitarian Aid problems. With almost a month to go till the launch weekend and with the application process still to be released, we have over 140 students registrations from across the multiple departments at Imperial. Who are Friends of MSF? Imperial College London Friends of Médecins Sans Frontières is a student-led society supporting MSF. MSF (Doctors without Borders) deliver Medical Aid where it's needed most, to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare. What is the aim of the Makeathon? The Makeathon has been created to alleviate the burden faced by MSF teams with the help of the MSF Sweden Innovation Unit which have identified 3 problems that are faced globally. The 3 areas of interest are: an incubator and accompanying smartphone app for water samples, pressure sore mattresses and incontinence sheeting. What is the timeline for the Makeathon Programme? The competition will start with a launch weekend (12-13th January) at the White City invention rooms. Teams will then work on their prototypes, and the winner will be announced in the FoMSF Conference in March. The winners will then have the opportunity of working with the MSF Sweden Innovation Unit to implement the prototype. Who is funding us? Imperial Advanced Hackspace is yet to agree on a final amount but have decided to provide their facilities as a venue and help to cover the main costs of prototyping; materials and staff wages. The Imperial Enterprise Lab has awarded us £900 as part of the Student Society Fund. What's the benefit? Uniquely, this competition would engage the design, medical and engineering minds of Imperial simultaneously; students would learn the various intricacies of the different fields thus spurring an innovative thought-process. As well as benefitting student participants, through the workshops and expert mentorship, we hope to improve on the current solutions by making more feasible alternatives. Through an iterative design methodology and an open to all mentality, we are confident in the community creating long-lasting meaningful strides at minimal investment! More information We have a full plan available on request, and more information can be found on www.makeathon.co.uk. We are very passionate about the Makeathon and would invite any questions to discuss how any investment can be frugally utilised to ensure maximal benefit.