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 at a Ruiru Hotel, November 15, 2024. 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.

“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 with 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.

Timothy Ndiritu who was visibly elated 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.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to JHUB Africa under the able leadership of Dr. Lawrence Nderu for their pivotal role in facilitating this attachment program. Their support provided a robust platform for the students to engage with industry practices and gain insights from various industrial parks.

The industrial visits organized by JHUB Africa were instrumental in broadening the students’ perspectives and deepening their understanding of real-world applications. Our gratitude also goes to the JKUAT computing fraternity for fostering a conducive learning environment. The supportive atmosphere and resources available at JKUAT have been crucial in allowing our students to thrive and excel in their projects.

They also organised various mentorship programmes; Cybersecurity awareness talk, Software as A Service programme and many more opening the eyes of the students to the opportunities that lie ahead and the pathways to follow to reach those peak heights