AU students vie for US$1m global innovation prize

Sunday Mail Reporter

STUDENTS from Africa University (AU) are in the running for US$1 million after progressing to the semi-finals of the Hult Prize global competition that challenges young people to solve the world’s most pressing issues by coming up with innovative concepts.

This dovetails with the Government’s Education 5.0 programme that seeks to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge needed to contribute to Zimbabwe’s development goals, particularly the ambition to become an upper middle-income economy by 2030.

The AU team — comprising Jeffrey Takunda Murungweni and Genius Tadiwa Mukichi (both second-year students studying Computer Science) and Simbisai Clotilda Mangwiro (Medical Laboratory Sciences, third year) — progressed after emerging victorious at the quarterfinals in Nairobi, Kenya.

They beat off competition from more than 60 universities around the world to reach the semi-finals.

The team, collectively known as Reagan Technologies, was accompanied by AU innovation manager Ms Yollanda Washaya.

They outshone other contestants after developing a climate-smart pavement tile technology that converts human kinetic energy into stored green electricity for lighting, digital displays and charging devices.

The tiles use hydraulics to generate electricity at a rate of 6-8W per foot press, providing a sustainable and scalable solution to power shortages.

In a statement, the AU director for advancement and public affairs, Ms Jeanette Dadzie, said: “Africa University has proved once again that it is a centre of excellence and continues to stake its claim as an innovation hub of the continent after ruling the roost in the Hult Prize Summit 2024 competition held at Strathmore University in Nairobi, Kenya, from June 6 to 9.

“With academic excellence, transformative research, creativity and innovation, all integral components of Africa University’s overarching goals, Reagan Technologies’ victory at the Nairobi Hult Prize Summit 2024 is proof that innovation, when aligned with the challenges we face as a continent, can go a long way in creating a better Africa and beyond for us all.”

The AU team will now take part in the semi-finals in July, alongside 12 other teams to sharpen up their pitches.

“The teams now move on to the hybrid Global Accelerator, to run from July to September 2024.

The accelerator is designed to help the 12-14 semi-finalists from the summits and secondary open application review to refine their ideas into investment-ready ventures,” said Ms Dadzie.

In August, the AU team is slated to travel to London, the United Kingdom, for the Global Accelerator stage of the contest, where they will spend two weeks working and learning with world-class experts and coaches.

At the end of the accelerator, six teams will be chosen to participate in the global finals, where the winner will scoop the US$1 million grand prize.

Speaking at the AU’s graduation ceremony last week, Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Amon Murwira lauded the university for prioritising innovation.

The implementation of Education 5.0, he said, had the potential to transform Africa.

“The Africa we want, as expressed in Agenda 2063, is a transformative Africa, which would have delivered inclusive and sustainable development,” said Prof Murwira.

“The objective of Africa is to have a concrete manifestation of the Pan-African drive, progress, freedom, collective
prosperity pursued under our own ideology of Pan-Africanism and African renaissance.”

Also at the graduation ceremony, AU Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Mageto said the institution will continue to work with the Government and other partners to promote innovation.

“The investments in the future of our students have not only opened doors and opportunities, but have also changed lives,” said Prof Mageto.

“Whether through scholarships, infrastructure projects or mentorship programmes, we just want to mention that your contributions have made a tangible difference in the lives of our students.”