OHIO recruiting students to join Governor's Opioid Technology Challenge

Ohio University is seeking current students to join a team to compete in Governor Kasich’s Opioid Technology Challenge.

The state created the global challenge to find new approaches and technology solutions to fight the growing opioid problem. The challenge’s website says that the state of Ohio is spending $1 billion annually to attack the opioid problem from every direction, including prevention, education, treatment and recovery, and law enforcement.

In an effort to build a 20-member team, the University is recruiting current students who study topics ranging from health sciences and professions and medicine to computer science, engineering, social sciences and the humanities. The team is being sponsored by the University’s College of Health Sciences and Professions and Deloitte Services LP.

The final deadline for students to apply for the team is Monday, Nov. 27, but priority will be given to students who apply by Wednesday, Nov. 22.

Applicants will submit a one-paragraph explanation of their interest in the topic and the competition. A committee will then choose the successful applicants.

The team’s kickoff event is Monday, Dec. 4, from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Grover Center 234/238.

Participating teams will produce a two- to three-minute video that explains the team’s idea. The video will be submitted by Friday, Dec. 15, to the state for judging. The state will award $10,000 to the winning student team as well as another 20 prizes of $500 to some of the runner-up teams.

All Ohio University team members will receive a Visa gift card and a swag bag for participating in the challenge.

Students who want to apply for a spot on the University’s team should visit http://bit.ly/OpioidTechChallenge.