IBM Z Xplore is a year-round learning experience available to individuals interested in developing in-demand IBM Z skills, earning industry-recognized digital badges, and redeeming rewards. The experience includes a gaming app (coming soon), a learning platform, and a student contest (formerly known as Master the Mainframe).
The IBM Z student contest is hosted and run by HackerEarth, an industry leader in hackathons with a community of over 6 million developers and 450 universities. The month-long competition will kick off on October 15 and will be powered by IBM Z Xplore, integrating core challenges to help students complete the contest.
Participants will dive into the digital city and be asked to complete five challenges. With the completion of each challenge they will build an escape vehicle to get out of the city. The contest will integrate a multitude of skills, including but not limited to: JCL, COBOL, REXX, Python, SQL, and more.
Although not required, we strongly encourage participants to head over to the IBM Z Xplore learning platform to complete the Fundamentals and Concepts levels prior to starting the contest. The knowledge gained in the learning platform will only help participants better understand and complete the contest. Once all submissions are reviewed, there will be nine total winners selected.
To be eligible, participants must be 18 years or older and a student at an accredited school.
Get ready to start your IBM Z learning adventure — register for the student contest today!