Kenya has participated in the just concluded First Global Robotics Challenge held in Athens, Greece.
Kelvin Kang’ethe, a Computer Science student at Zetech
University represented the country in the prestigious event that gathers
brilliant young minds from around the world to showcase their innovations in
robotics and technology.
The challenge brings together teams from over 190 countries,
each tasked with solving engineering challenges designed to address real-world
issues.
Kang’ethe, alongside the Zetech University team, showcased a
robot they built to tackle the competition’s sustainability challenge, which
focuses on creating solutions for environmental conservation — an area that
aligns with his passion for sustainability and innovation.
Kang’ethe told journalists that his journey to the
international platform has been fuelled by his passion for technology and
robotics, which he nurtured during his studies at Ruiru-based higher learning
institution.
He averred that Kelvin has worked tirelessly as a Computer Science student to hone his technical abilities, learning programming,
engineering, and robotics design.
“This is an incredible opportunity to not only represent
Kenya but also demonstrate how technology can be a powerful tool for positive
change. I’m grateful for the support and resources that have made this
possible. The exposure is imperative especially for budding tech gurus and
innovators in the country to enable them to come up with solutions that bedevil
the society, communities and the country,” he said.
Zetech University Vice Chancellor Prof Njenga Munene
remarked that Kang’ethe’s participation represents the institution’s broader mission
to empower students to excel in the rapidly evolving tech world, with
Technology standing out as a main pillar in the University’s recent success.
“The university has been increasingly involved in
international collaborations and competitions, encouraging students to push
boundaries and engage with global technological developments. Kelvin’s success
is a testament to this ethos of preparing students to be ‘future-ready,” Prof
Munene said.
The VC reiterated that the institution places much focus on
cutting-edge tech programs and emphasis on practical, future-ready skills
noting that this is what’s propelling students to the global arena.
“Our support for initiatives like FIRST Global Robotics
Challenge is part of our commitment to fostering talent that can thrive in
international arenas, continually proving that Kenyan students have what it
takes to compete on the global stage,” Prof Munene said.
He challenged varsity students in the country to be innovative and uphold as well as adapt to the ever-evolving tech trends 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.