Nura Kemis 
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) has claimed victory at the 2024 Inter-Varsity Artificial Intelligence Hackathon.
The winning application, dubbed The Listening Ear, a cutting-edge deaf aid tool, secured JKUAT’s triumph by combining innovative design and impactful functionality to address a critical real-world challenge.
The overall winners, JKUAT, were closely followed by Strathmore University, with Maasai Mara University securing third place.
Developed by a team of third-year students, Timothy Ndiritu, pursuing a Bachelor of Business Information Technology, and Abel Misiocha and Ryan Malawa, both pursuing Bachelor of Science in Computer Technology students, the Listening Ear App stood out for its creative approach and practical impact.
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, all 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 leadership of Prof.Anthony Waititu, Dean of the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, who also serves as the chairman of the hackathon committee.
It was supported through partnerships with prominent sponsors, including the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), African Development Bank, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Kenya Airports Parking Services, Microsoft, The Garage East Africa, and Red Bull.
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 support research and innovations through academia partnership.
Serah Ndunda, a Manager of Data Science and Dissemination at KNBS, commended the participants for their well thought projects.
She highlighted the value of the hackathon as a platform for equal opportunity for students from various backgrounds to showcase their talent.
“This competition does not represent winners or losers.
It is a platform where everyone gets an equal opportunity to showcase their talent,” Ndunda said.
Ms. Ndunda expressed admiration for the high quality of innovations noting that students have produced impressive projects with modest budgets.
The collaboration between academia and industry, she noted, is essential for unlocking the potential of young innovators and driving forward meaningful solutions.
Visibly elated, Timothy Ndiritu ravelled in the success of their app, noting that 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,” Mr. Ndiritu
