Vanderbilt University’s competitive programming team traveled to Orlando, FL on March 22 to compete in the 2026 International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) North American Championship (NAC), held at the University of Central Florida.
The team qualified through regional competitions, earning a spot among the top 52 teams in North America. This marks at least the third consecutive year Vanderbilt has advanced to the NAC, demonstrating the programs’ strength and consistency in an extremely rigorous competition.
Representing Vanderbilt were Michael Jin, Mohamed Bakry and Luka Mosiashvili. The team finished 28th overall, placing ahead of several prominent computer science programs such as UC Berkeley, UCLA, Washington University in St. Louis and Purdue.
The ICPC challenges teams to solve complex algorithmic problems under strict time constraints, emphasizing collaboration, creativity, and deep technical expertise. Vanderbilt’s success at the NAC reflects not only the students’ problem-solving abilities but also the growing momentum of the university’s competitive programming community.
While the team did not qualify for the World Finals, all three students plan to return next year for another attempt.
The team was supported by Vanderbilt computer science professor David Hyde, who served as the on-site coach at the NAC. Additional guidance and preparation were provided by professors Kamrul Hasan and Robert Tairas, who oversee ICPC activities and coach the team on campus.
Students interested in Vanderbilt’s competitive programming team or learning more about ICPC opportunities can contact Professor Kamrul Hassan at kamrul.hasan@vanderbilt.edu.