Highlights from the ICPC Asia West Continent Finals 2024 - Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology

For the fourth consecutive year, GIK Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, in collaboration with ICPC Asia Topi, proudly hosted the prestigious ICPC Asia West Continent Finals 2024 (AWC 2024). The International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC), often celebrated as the “World Cup of Computing,” continues to inspire and challenge the brightest minds from universities worldwide. With participation from over 3,322 universities across 111 countries and six continents, ICPC remains the gold standard for algorithmic programming competitions.

This year’s contest was a remarkable multi-site event held simultaneously at four sites: Topi (Pakistan), Mathura (India), Dhaka (Bangladesh), and Tehran (Iran). A total of 65 elite teams from India, Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and Bangladesh advanced to the finals, selected through their stellar performance at regional contests. The allocation of team slots per site was strategically based on the volume of participation in both online and on-site contests—demonstrating the competition’s inclusivity and merit-based approach. The following slots have been assigned for team selection at each regional site:

Table 1. List of Selected Teams for the ICPC Asia West Continent Finals 2024

While the ICPC Asia Topi Regional site was set to host seven teams—four from Pakistan and three from Afghanistan—unfortunately, visa delays prevented the Afghan teams from participating. Nonetheless, the contest maintained its momentum and spirit.

On March 7th and 8th, 2025, the event unfolded over two days, starting with a mock round and culminating in a high-stakes 5-hour final contest. Sixty-two teams from Pakistan, India, Iran, and Bangladesh competed fiercely. Pakistan’s representation included renowned institutions such as

FAST-NUCES Karachi, Punjab University College of Information Technology (PUCIT) Lahore, NUST Islamabad, and Habib University Karachi.

Demonstrating resilience and potential, Pakistan’s teams showcased a promising performance. Habib University secured the 50^th position solving three problems, closely followed by NUST Islamabad at 54^th, solving two complex problems. PUCIT and FAST-NUCES Karachi also delivered commendable performances, each solving one problem. The competition was intense, with teams vying against well-established programming giants from India, Iran, and Bangladesh. The ICPC Asia Topi Regional site remains committed to advancing up the leaderboard and building a legacy of excellence.

We extend our warmest congratulations to the top achievers: Sharif University of Technology (Iran), IIT Delhi (India), and IIT Kanpur (India), for clinching the first, second, and third positions, respectively. Their performances were a testament to exceptional coding skill, strategy, and perseverance. The closing ceremony of the event was held online through a Zoom session connecting all four regional sites: Topi, Dhaka, Mathura, and Tehran. During the ceremony, gold medals were awarded to the winners of the respective sites. From the ICPC Asia Topi site, Habib University, Karachi, emerged as the champion, securing the gold medals.

The success of AWC 2024 was a collective achievement. Heartfelt gratitude to the core organizing team—Dr. Masroor Hussain, Ms. Sarah Sajjad and Mr. Usman Haider—alongside the dedicated lab assistants, whose behind-the-scenes efforts were invaluable. Special thanks to Dr. S. M. Hassan Zaidi (Rector, GIK Institute), Prof. Dr. Qadeer-ul-Hasan (Pro-Rector, Academics & Dean FCSE), Sardar Aminullah Khan (Pro-Rector, Administration & Finance), and the Director of IT, whose steadfast support was instrumental.

We also acknowledge the Islamabad ACM Chapter for their continuous support. Being a part of this international contest was also not possible without the support of sponsors Pakistan Software Export Board, Geniteam, Arkhitech and Forbmax. As we look to the future, our resolve to nurture programming talent and ignite a passion for coding remains stronger than ever. Together, we are shaping the innovators and leaders of tomorrow’s tech-driven world!

Through the Lens: Highlights of the 2024 ICPC Asia West Continent Finals

Lab view of teams participating from GIK Institute, ICPC Asia Topi Regional Site