Constructor University and BMW Celebrate Hackathon Success
The inaugural BMW Causal Machine Learning Hackathon at Constructor University concluded this week and was nothing short of a massive success. Over three days, 34 teams from the university showcased their talents, culminating in 21 innovative submissions evaluated by a panel of BMW experts. At a festive awards ceremony on December 2, the judging panel, led by Ishansh Gupta, Louis Heublein and Nataliia Kholodna, announced the winners after an intense review process. The top prize went to the team of Aleksandr Kovrigin, Kseniia Lysaniuk, Valerii Ovchinnikov and Egor Shibaev.
200 participants, 21 submissions, 7 finalists, 1 winner This past week, the first-ever CU & BMW Hackathon dedicated to Causal Machine Learning drew to a close on the campus of Constructor University. Of the 34 teams of Constructor University students to compete, 21 teams submitted their work to be judged by the expert jury. Four teams made the shortlist, while three additional teams stood out to take home the top spot. “The overall quality and creativity of submissions were remarkable and in the end it was details that made the difference. The selection of the three main winners was based on the quality of causal modeling, predictive modeling, prescriptive analytics, and tool-building,” said Ishansh Gupta, BMW data scientist and PhD scholar at BMW Group—and Constructor University alumnus.
The winning quartet now awaits a direct interview opportunity with BMW, skipping the technical screening phase. A major detail that advanced them to the top were soft skills. “Rather than merely presenting results, they offered actionable business recommendations that demonstrated their understanding of practical applications. The clarity and professionalism of their video presentations were also impressive, as effective communication is a critical skill we value for future team members,” said Gupta. The second and third-place teams, along with the finalists, also celebrated significant achievements. All shortlisted teams received personalized letters of recommendation, and the top three teams were awarded exclusive BMW merchandise.
Advancing higher education through unique collaborations with top brands The event underscores CU’s dedication to providing a dynamic, practice-oriented education that prepares students for impactful careers. Through this unique collaboration, CU students were able to engage directly with BMW experts, apply their interdisciplinary expertise on real-world challenges in the automotive sector and forge connections with a blue-chip brand synonymous with quality and innovation.
"It’s not every day that our students have the opportunity to work closely with one of the world’s true premium brands in BMW, who has set standards in the automotive sector for over a century,” says Stanislav Protasov, President of Constructor University. “This collaboration underscores our commitment to advancing higher education, machine learning and AI. In partnerships with industry leaders such as BMW, we continue to pursue our core mission of being an incubator for technological innovation and progress.”
Establishing partnerships, preparing students to excel Strengthening ties with leading industry partners like BMW highlights Constructor University’s commitment to professional development and global collaboration. “Our collaboration with Constructor University was exceptional,” Gupta said. “Their ability to secure numerous registrations in a short period is a testament to their effective outreach and organizational capabilities, and is a reflection of the university’s dedication and expertise.
With a robust network of partnerships spanning industries such as tech and automotive, CU ensures that students gain exposure to internships, research opportunities, and career pathways with top-tier companies. Combined with the university’s diverse, international student body and emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, this Hackathon exemplifies CU’s dedication to preparing students to excel in the workforce and shape the future of their industries.
Questions answered by:
D. Scott Peterson | External Communications Officer
dpeterson@constructor.university | +49 172 367 7317