Two students from TU-K have been selected to represent both the University and the country at the prestigious GAIAthon '25 Awards Ceremony, known as GAIAfest, set to take place in Accra, Ghana, from 18th to 21 August 18, 2025.
Their selection follows a highly competitive internal GAIAthon competition held at TU-K, where seven groups of students drawn from disciplines such as mechanical and electrical engineering, geospatial science, mathematics, physics, and environmental studies, competed by presenting digital solutions to real-world challenges. The top three teams were shortlisted by faculty supervisors and honoured during an awards ceremony held in the University.
The winning team received USD 300, while the second and third runners-up were awarded USD 200 and USD 100 respectively.
GAIAthon, organised by the Edenway Foundation, is an annual innovation challenge designed to tap into the potential of university students across Africa. The initiative aims to promote digital stewardship for sustainability, with a focus on Earth Observation (EO) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.
Launched in May 2024 under the theme “Empowering Innovation through Digital Literacy,” GAIAthon provides a platform for young innovators to propose tech-driven solutions that address pressing environmental and developmental issues in Africa.
Each of the three finalist TU-K teams tackled a unique innovation track as follows:
IoT-Enabled Smart Systems: One team built a working prototype using low-cost IoT sensors to collect and analyse real-time environmental data, addressing climate, agricultural, and energy challenges.
Digital Platforms and Interactive Applications: This group developed a mobile/web platform for processing and visualising EO and IoT data, enhancing decision-making and community engagement.
Geospatial Intelligence and Policy Innovation: The third team focused on leveraging satellite data to produce maps, models, and reports for environmental monitoring and policy formulation.
The awards ceremony was graced by Prof. Alfred Orina, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Technology Development; Prof. Levi Mbugua, Director, Centre for Innovation and Technology Transfer; and Dr. Clifford Okembo, event coordinator and lecturer in the Department of Physics, Earth and Environmental Sciences, among others.
In his address, Prof. Orina commended the students for their innovative spirit and praised the faculty for their mentorship. “A lot is happening in the world around Artificial Intelligence,” he noted. “As young people, you need to harness this wave of change to drive meaningful impact.” He lauded the students’ presentation skills and creativity, pledging continued University support to nurture and refine their ideas.
Prof. Mbugua joined the DVC and other lecturers in presenting certificates to the top teams.
Edenway Foundation, in collaboration with MarCNoWA, is planning to grow GAIAthon into a flagship pan-African innovation event. The programme aligns with the African Union Commission’s Agenda 2063, aiming to enhance digital literacy and environmental stewardship while equipping African youth with the tools and mind-set needed to address 21st -century challenges.
