Algorithm Competition Summer Camp 2024 Report

We have concluded the most eagerly anticipated event of the year, the Algorithm Competition Summer Camp 2024. This camp was a perfect blend of intellectual growth and community building, offering participants an enlightening experience that went beyond imagination. Over the course of the week, attendees immersed themselves in challenging lessons, participated in social activities, and tackled challenging problem-solving sessions. These experiences not only sharpened their technical skills but also cultivated a strong sense of connection among the participants. Now that the camp is behind us, we are left with cherished memories that will last for years to come.

Although numbers don't tell the whole story, it's essential to highlight the stats. More than 300 students applied to this year's summer camp, with 250 participants successfully completing the 48-hour qualification round, contributing an impressive total of 4000 submissions. These figures underscore the growing enthusiasm and competitive spirit within our community. Held at the renowned Beykoz Kundura from July 24 to 30, the camp brought together fifty participants from nine distinguished universities, including Bilkent University, Boğaziçi University, Ege University, Hacettepe University, Istanbul Technical University, Konya Technical University, Middle East Technical University, and Yıldız Technical University. 

This camp was exceptional for many reasons. We were proud to host an expert-level class,  elevating the learning experience to new heights. Notably, we had the honor of welcoming an International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) team, whose expertise and passion for algorithms greatly enriched the event. We hosted Algorithm Competition League Round #7 during the camp, which saw impressive participation and fostered a spirit of friendly competition.

Additionally, a major highlight was the participation of the Uzbek team in the expert group. Their presence infused the camp with an international spirit, offering diverse insights and fostering cross-cultural understanding.The global essence of this remarkable gathering inspires optimism for future international collaborations and enduring partnerships.

“​It was an educational journey that pushed the boundaries of my imagination and broadened my horizons. With the guidance of amazing mentors, my perspective on algorithms deepened. Everyone interested in algorithms should experience this and meet this community. There are amazing people here.”

No event of this exceptional quality could have been realized without the support of an extraordinary team. We are grateful to our algorithm team and guides Anıl Dervişoğlu, Berke Dönmez, Haşim Zafer Çiçek, Melih Akpınar, Murat Biberoğlu, Ömer Faruk Özkan, Emin Ersüs, Şura Nur Ertürkmen, Kerim Kochekov, and Alperen Tupurtu—for developing a comprehensive curriculum covering expert, advanced, and intermediate levels. They delivered inspiring lectures, crafted challenging exercises, and provided unwavering support and motivation throughout the camp. We also appreciate Furkan Halifeoğlu, a 6th-grade medical student at Ege University, who joined us as our medical consultant. His contributions were invaluable, and he quickly became a great friend to the team.

Despite the summer heat, the camp offered a diverse array of activities, emphasizing our belief that social activities and bonding are just as important as the educational aspects. Camps provide a wonderful opportunity to connect with our community, and we continued our tradition of hosting competitions in Wordle, chess, and table tennis, adding a touch of familiar and cherished rivalry to the occasion. We had the privilege of visiting Beykoz Kundura and learning about its rich history. An outdoor cinema session under the stars created a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere for a summer night. Additionally, we showed our support for the Turkish national team during Euro 2024 by organizing a viewing event, bringing everyone together to cheer and celebrate.

“I had an amazing week on an exceptional campus full of history. I met many outstanding people who are passionate about algorithms and learning something new. In addition, I had the pleasure of learning from superb mentors while having quite a bit of fun. It was a fantastic experience full of entertainment and insightful learning.”

Continuing our tradition, we hosted an engaging career talk moderated by our general manager, Ahmet Utku Yavuz, whose extensive experience provided invaluable guidance. The session was further enriched by contributions from esteemed community members Melih Akpınar, Ömer Faruk Özkan, Murat Biberoğlu, and Şura Nur Ertürkmen. They shared their insights on navigating job interviews, offering participants practical advice and strategies to enhance their career prospects. In addition to the career talk, we organized detailed resume reviews to provide personalized feedback. The session served as a valuable opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of the industry and prepare effectively for the opportunities ahead.

"The camp had everything I could ask for, providing an optimal environment for learning algorithms and improving problem-solving skills. However, the most valuable aspect was the welcoming and tight-knit Inzva community. Even if it’s your first camp, you feel a sense of belonging here."

WINNERS

The final contest marked the culmination of a week of intensive preparation. With excitement in the air, participants competed for the top prizes sponsored by Levi's. We extend our gratitude to our awards sponsor Levi's for their generous support. We’d also like to express our gratitude to Nestle Turkiye and Nescafe Turkiye for their generous sponsorship and contributions.

Here are the top coders of inzva Algorithm Winter Camp 2024!

INTERMEDIATE GROUP

In the intermediate group, the winning team “DPP” consisting of Mehmet Bera Büyükyılmaz and Mehmet Rüçhan Yavuzdemir, solved 3 out of 7 problems. Following closely behind was the team “1945” with Enes İsmet Bal and Tahsin Tanrıkulu securing the second spot. They also solved 3 out of 7 problems but had a slightly higher penalty score.You can check out the leaderboard here. 

ADVANCED GROUP

The advanced group competition was held individually, with Ahmed Faruk Özgür saw the triumph by solving 5 out of 7 problems. Emirhan Oğul took second place by also solving 5 out of 7 problems, but with a slightly higher penalty score. Next, Emir Tomrukçu followed them on the third spot by solving 4 out of 7 problems. You can check out the leaderboard here. 

EXPERT GROUP

The expert group and the results were outstanding. The team “37 buyuktur 23” consisting of Atakan Yaşar and Fatih Solak emerged victorious by solving all 8 problems! Close behind them were “23 Haters” with Cengiz Eray Aslan and Duru Özer who solved 7 out of 8 problems. You can check out the leaderboard here. 

All participants have now become proud alumni of the Algorithm Competition Summer Camp 2024 and are part of the inzva algorithm community. We eagerly anticipate reuniting for the Algorithm Program 2024-2025 Fall Semester and the Algorithm Competition Winter Camp 2025, where we will continue to explore new challenges, celebrate achievements, and strengthen our community ties. 

Until then, farewell and see you soon!

All participants have to abide by our CODE OF CONDUCT  and LETTER OF CONSENT. 

A  BEV Foundation project inzva is a non-profit hacker community organizing study and project groups as well as camps in the fields of AI and Algorithm; and gathering CS students, academics, and professionals in Turkey.

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