The Cicada 3301 AUI Challenge made its debut as an exciting and inclusive campus-wide event, transforming our university into a playground of cryptic puzzles and hidden clues. Drawing inspiration from the famous internet mystery Cicada 3301, the competition spanned several days, offering students a unique blend of problem-solving, exploration, and fun. Designed to be accessible to everyone, no specialized skills or prior knowledge were required—just curiosity, creativity, and a passion for discovery.

The competition began with eight mini-puzzles, each linked to QR codes scattered around the campus. Teams had to locate, solve, and piece together these puzzles, which led to a sequence of steps guiding them to the final challenge—a thrilling culmination to the game. This ultimate goal tested not only their intellect but also their collaboration and persistence.

Over 79 teams, each comprising up to three members, joined the challenge, showcasing an extraordinary level of enthusiasm and engagement from the student body. The prize pool, totaling 3600 MAD, rewarded the top three teams for their outstanding efforts.

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to our unit supervisor Hamid Harroud and Driss Chaibi from the ITS department, and the Student Activities Office for their support in logistics and operations. Additionally, a special thanks goes out to Mohammed Essafi and the creative minds in Deviteam who designed and orchestrated this challenge.

The success of the Cicada 3301 AUI Challenge has inspired Deviteam to make it an annual tradition, bringing fun and excitement to the campus every spring while reviving the vibrant ambiance of Ramadan. Once again, congratulations to all participants for their incredible enthusiasm and dedication throughout the challenge, and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make this event a memorable success. Stay tuned for more thrilling challenges!