NEW DELHI  — NTT DATA, a global digital business and IT services leader, and NLB Services, a global technology and digital talent solutions provider, today announced the third edition of the ‘Bridge The Gap’ hackathon. Through this initiative, NTT DATA and NLB Services aim to tackle the gender gap in the information technology sector by recognizing women in technology.

The month-long hackathon will be hosted from Friday, March 8, 2024, to Friday, April 12, 2024.

Kicking off on International Women’s Day, the event will offer Java and .NET developers a platform to showcase their skills through a coding challenge. The hackathon boasts attractive prizes, acknowledging their exceptional skills and contributions to the technology community. According to ‘Bridging the Skills Gap – Towards an Equal Workplace’, a comprehensive research report published by NTT DATA and NLB in 2023, 58% of employers think that gender diversity can lead to higher revenue growth and the acquisition of top talent. Nearly 31% of employers plan to initiate programs to attract women returning to the workplace, boosting gender diversity. NTT DATA believes hiring more women in STEM, can tap into a pool of talent that has historically been underrepresented in the technology field, and organizations can benefit from their unique perspectives and experiences.

NLB Services aims to enable eligible candidates to get an opportunity to interview with top IT and tech companies in India, including NTT DATA.

“On International Women’s Day, we proudly unveil ‘Bridge the Gap’ Hackathon—a dynamic celebration of women in technology and a resounding testament to our unwavering commitment towards diversity, equity, and inclusion, in collaboration with NLB Services. We encourage women to embrace this opportunity not just to showcase their skills and creativity, but to boldly explore uncharted tech territories. Let this event be a catalyst for upskilling, stretching thinking abilities, and envisioning a future where women lead the way in reshaping the landscape of technology,” stated Ankur Dasgupta, Vice President, India APJ Marketing, NTT DATA Services.

Speaking about the third edition of the ‘Bridge The Gap’ Hackathon, Sachin Alug, CEO, NLB Services, said, “The ‘Bridge The Gap’ hackathon has been a remarkable initiative that showcased the power of collaboration and innovation in breaking biases and tackle the gender gap in the information technology sector. We are proud to be part of this transformative annual event, empowering young women’s talents to create solutions that bring future career opportunities for them.”

“At NLB, we believe in the power of women to shape a better and sustainable future, and this hackathon has truly demonstrated their ability to drive positive change through their creative solutions,” Alug added.