Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) emerged the best university in the 2024 Inter-Varsity Artificial Intelligence Hackathon.
The winning application, dubbed The Listening Ear, a cutting-edge innovation to aid the deaf, secured JKUAT the win by combining innovative design and impactful functionality to address a critical real-world challenge.
The app, stood out for its creative approach and practical impact, was developed by a team of third-year students, Timothy Ndiritu, pursuing Bachelor of Business Information Technology degree, and Abel Misiocha and Ryan Malawa, both Bachelor of Science in Computer Technology students.
The Listening Ear app is designed to assist individuals who are deaf by accurately identifying and categorizing environmental sounds, helping users stay informed and connected to their surroundings, while promoting a greater sense of security and independence.
The application can identify over 500 distinct sounds while functioning entirely offline, ensuring both accessibility and reliability for its users.
The hackathon, themed; “Harnessing AI for Real-World Applications,” brought together participants from 24 public and private universities across Kenya.
The event was organized by JKUAT under the stewardship of Prof Anthony Waititu, Dean of the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, who also serves as the chairman of the Hackathon Committee.
Speaking during the award ceremony in Ruiru, Prof Waititu expressed his gratitude to the sponsors for their consistent support since the hackathon’s inception in 2019. He said their involvement has elevated the competition in terms of quality and scope.
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“Since the inception of the hackathon in 2019, we realized we were not casting the net wide enough, and the quality of innovations was low. The involvement of our sponsors has been a game changer. Over the years, the quality of student innovations has been on an upward trajectory,” said Prof Waititu.
He emphasized that the hackathon aims to move students beyond theoretical learning, fostering practical applications and industry partnerships.
Prof Waititu described the event as a key platform for cultivating a culture of innovation that prepares students for real-world challenges while connecting them with potential employers and collaborators.
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) pledged to continue supporting the initiative in bid to enhance research and innovation through industry- academia partnership.
Serah Ndunda, Data Science and Dissemination Manager at KNBS, commended participants for their well thought out projects and underscored the value of the hackathon as a platform for equal opportunity where talent and ideas are prioritized.
“This competition does not represent winners or losers. It is a platform where everyone gets an equal opportunity to showcase talent,” Ndunda said.
She was impressed by the high quality of innovations achieved on a modest budget, and reaffirmed KNBS’s commitment to support such initiatives. The collaboration between academia and industry, she observed, is essential for unlocking the potential of young innovators and driving meaningful solutions.
Ndiritu, visibly elated by the success of their app, said his team had invested a lot of time and resources in the project. He thanked his competitors for the cut-throat competition, as well as their mentor for guidance and support throughout the journey.
“This win is the result of a lot of hard work, and we’re thrilled with the recognition. Moving forward, we plan to continuously refine The Listening Ear to make it even more impactful,” Ndiritu said.
By our reporter
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