ACPC Winning Duo Set to Repeat the Success in ICPC Regional Round

Dal Esperanza Competing with Top Universities, Including Harvard and MIT, at ICPC Regional

The Atlantic Canadian Programming Competition (ACPC) is an annual event organized by Science Atlantic, bringing together university teams from across the Atlantic Canada region to compete in a challenging programming contest. The competition tests participants' problem-solving abilities, algorithmic thinking, and coding skills, providing a platform for students to showcase their talents in the field of computer science and programming.

Dal Esperanza, a team consisting of only two programmers, Sebastian Dionicio and Hoang Le, from Dalhousie University, emerged as the winner while competing against 24 other teams, most of which were three-member teams. The team was coached by Professors Vlado Keselj and Travis Gagie. Keselj expressed pride in their success, highlighting that it marked the revival of Dalhousie’s competitive programming efforts, which had been disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The competition, lasting five hours, challenged participants with complex mathematical and algorithmic problems, such as analyzing caber toss scores and creating flood risk maps. Participants could use languages like C, C++, Java, Python, and Kotlin. The event tested problem-solving, mathematical, and algorithmic skills, requiring both technical expertise and creativity. The winning team was determined by the number of problems solved, the fewest attempts, and the shortest total time. Dal Esperanza solved six out of seven problems, narrowly missing the final one, which they completed shortly after the competition ended. After the event, Hoang Le talked about the value of interacting with students from other universities. Participants exchanged problem-solving strategies, creating valuable networking and learning opportunities.

Professor Keselj noted that several industry hiring managers prioritize candidates who excel in programming competitions, as these events demonstrate critical thinking, problem-solving under pressure, and the ability to perform in fast-paced environments. There are numerous career benefits to programming competitions, as they offer valuable experience in solving time-sensitive problems—a skill often required in job interviews. These competitions are highly valued by employers, and events like the ICPC help prepare students for real-world challenges.

The ICPC regional contest, one of the world’s most prestigious programming competitions, attracts over 50,000 participants from 3,000 universities worldwide. For Dionicio and Le, the upcoming event is especially significant, as they will compete in the Northeastern North America region, which includes top institutions like Harvard and MIT. The competition will be similar to the ACPC they recently won. Teams will solve complex problems, with the best performers advancing to the North American Championship and, potentially, the ICPC World Finals in 2025.

Dionicio and Le acknowledged the importance of programming competitions in developing their skills. Events like the ICPC regional contest provide significant personal growth opportunities, requiring participants to push their limits and perform under pressure. Both team members view these competitions as a chance to challenge themselves and enhance their abilities before entering the professional world. The upcoming ICPC regional contest will provide an opportunity to compete against top global universities.

Dal Esperanza’s victory at the Atlantic Canadian Programming Competition (ACPC) marks a significant achievement for Dalhousie University’s competitive programming team. Their success not only showcases their technical expertise but also emphasizes the importance of programming competitions in fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and personal growth. With the upcoming ICPC regional contest, expectations are high for the winning duo of Dal Esperanza to replicate their success with flying colors. Their journey serves as an inspiration for students striving to hone their skills and pursue excellence in the field of computer science and programming.

Editor's Note:

Dal Esperanza's impressive victory at the Atlantic Canadian Programming Competition (ACPC) is a testament to their talent, dedication, and ability to compete against larger teams. The competition highlighted their exceptional problem-solving and technical skills, reinforcing the value of programming contests in nurturing critical thinking, collaboration, and personal growth. As they now turn their focus to the prestigious ICPC regional contest, their journey emphasizes the role these events play in preparing students for both academic and professional challenges. 

Skoobuzz congratulates Dal Esperanza on their success and looks forward to their continued achievements on the global stage.