A group of university students have flown the Kenyan flag high after delivering an outstanding performance at the 2025 Pan-African Robotics Competition (PARC) held in Dakar, Senegal.
The students, who were in six teams participated in diverse categories of the competition, showcased exceptional innovation, resilience, and technical brilliance throughout the competition.
Among the top ten finalist teams in Africa, Kenya distinguished itself with impressive results that included a Silver Medal awarded to Team Safari innovation, a Bronze Medal won by the MinerAI Team, and a Special Award for Best Live Demonstration—cementing the University’s position as a continental leader in technology and innovation.
MinerAI Team developed an AI-driven system that detects illegal mining activity using satellite imagery and a verified database of registered mine coordinates, providing an intelligent surveillance tool to support mining authorities and environmental regulators.
ALSO READ:
How school strategic plans meet basic infrastructure requirements in CBE
Meanwhile, Team Safari built a solution, Deepmine Sentinel AI that predicts the underground stability of stopes—the hollowed-out underground spaces in mines—helping prevent collapse and improve the safety of mining operations.
The teams captivated judges and audiences alike with their creativity and ability to apply robotics and artificial intelligence in solving real-world challenges.
Their performance according to Prof Njenga Munene, their work reflects the country’s dedication to academic excellence and experiential learning and serves as an affirmation commitment to developing future-ready graduates equipped to lead Africa’s digital transformation.
The don said that the students’ work reflects the power of hands-on learning, bold innovation, and the drive of our students to tackle real-world problems with smart, scalable solutions.
Josephat Onkoba, one of the participating students and a member of the MinerAI Team, , hailed the competition as a transformative experience.
“Participating in the AI League Challenge at PARC 2025 was a transformative experience. Our project, Deepmine Sentinel AI with Team Safari, focused on developing a deep learning-based stope stability prediction system to enhance safety in mining operations. It was exciting to see our solution resonate with judges and fellow innovators across Africa. We’re proud to be part of the journey shaping Africa’s tech future,” Onkoba said.
ALSO READ:
PS Bitok launches high-speed internet for West Pokot schools
The Pan-African Robotics Competition is a prestigious platform that brings together the continent’s brightest minds in science, technology, and engineering to engage in solution driven innovation.
Prof Munene challenged varsity students in the country to be innovative and uphold as well as adapt to the ever-evolving tech trends so as to remain competitive in the global job markets.
He advised students to align themselves with the profound transformations driven by technological advancements, demographic shifts, and global challenges in the world and the future of work.
“Being innovative does not mean re-inventing the wheel. It simply means developing real-life solutions to real-life problems. When there are existing solutions or knowledge that can address a problem effectively, it’s often smarter to build upon or adapt those solutions rather than starting from square one,” he said.
By John Kamau
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
>>> Click here to stay ahead with the latest national news.
