Zetech University secured a first runners-up win in the continental innovation challenge that sought to recognise best practices that can be replicated in Africa to provide sustainable solutions to issues facing young ICT innovators.
The university through its innovation hub—Izet hub— emerged the first runners-up in the third edition of the Africa Telecommunication Union Africa Innovation Challenge. The institution received Sh1.5 million (USD 10,000) for the stellar performance.
The challenge held annually, attracted some 26 higher learning institutions across Africa. Veritas University of Abuja in Nigeria claimed the championship while BlueCrest College of Sierra Leone secured the third position.
Zetech University Vice Chancellor Prof Njenga Munene said the win underscores the university's dedication to advancing technology and fostering inclusive digital solutions that resonate globally.
He highlighted that some of the key innovative solutions showcased during the challenge included Ecomobilus and Electric bike innovations by Paul Waweru, Real Oil project by Samuel Oduor, and smart farm project by three students. "Zetech University’s achievement highlights its commitment to advancing technology and fostering inclusive digital solutions. Zetech University demonstrated strong collaborations with industry leaders like Huawei, Oracle, Cisco, and Microsoft, providing invaluable expertise and resources, facilitating knowledge sharing and access to industry trends,” Munene said.
The hub also showcased a wide range of programmes such as training, mentorships, hackathons, and competitions, all aimed at giving young innovators a competitive edge.
“Standing proudly among the 11 finalists representing the African region, Zetech University extends heartfelt gratitude to ATU and its esteemed partners—Huawei and Intel Corporation among others— for their unwavering support and acknowledgment of groundbreaking innovations across Africa,” Munene said.
The VC hailed students and the University’s Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology Development faculty for representing the institution and the country in the challenge. “This is a great milestone for the university and our students to competitively represent our country in the challenge whose outcome will provide solutions to a myriad of challenges the ICT world is facing. Our relentless effort to promote ICT and innovations is paying off,” Munene said.
He said the university has invested heavily in research and innovation citing the opening of a Sh6 million Innovation Hub that hones and incubates students’ innovations.
“We have fully equipped the hub with relevant equipments and installations that will help our innovative students with great business ideas further and realise them. We are determined to assist our students so that they can be a problem solving lot and make meaningful contributions to the community and the country at large,” Munene said.
The VC at the same time said the university is partnering with other corporates including Red Bull Basement, Huawei, Powermax and Partners for Care to provide with the entrepreneurial infrastructure and opportunities to students with viable business ideas and innovations.
“We are partnering with like-minded development partners so that we can create a robust network which will breed our students’ innovations and graduate them to the entrepreneurial world. We are inculcating a culture of problem-solving thinking in our students so that they can participate in the transformation of our country,” Munene said.