Two University students have bagged an award for their cybersecurity innovation at this year’s World Skills Kenya Competitions held at the Kenya School of TVET in Nairobi.
The invention by the two Zetech University students Mburu Karanja and Simon Wafula focused on Cyber Security which is an analyst in the web and cloud platforms in performing security checks to assess systems vulnerability and giving recommendations to secure them.
The Competition, which brought together some of the brightest and most innovative students from across the country, was jointly organized by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Authority, the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Huawei.
This year’s competition focused on showcasing and elevating technical skills across Kenya, with 12 main skill areas featured.
These included Sustainable Agriculture, Innovative Technology, and Innovative Engineering Solutions, reflecting the diverse and rapidly evolving fields that are critical to the nation’s development.
Karanja and Wafula emerged first runners-up, with a standout performance in the Cyber Security and CISCO Networks category.
Other innovative projects that stood out in the competition include Automatic Shower Systems by Kennedy Kimari, Face Recognition Security Systems by Mike Francis Ng’ang’a and Water Quality Monitoring System by Michael Kamau among others.
“This achievement is a testament to the high level of training and mentorship provided by the university, which consistently produces graduates who are not only technically proficient but also competitive on a national and global scale,” said Zetech University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof Alice Njuguna.
Prof Njuguna added:
“These innovative projects not only highlighted the creativity and technical prowess of Zetech University students but also demonstrated the institution’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and practical skills.”
The competition served as a precursor to the World Skills Africa competition scheduled for March 2025 in Zambia, as well as the World Skills global competition in Lyon, France from September 10 to 15, 2024.
The primary goal of the World Skills Kenya National Competition is to raise the profile and recognition of skilled professionals in Kenya.
By integrating international occupational standards into the country’s training systems, the competition aims to enhance the quality of vocational education and training in the country as it also promotes skills mobility, allowing Kenyan professionals to compete and collaborate on a global stage.
Moreover, the event serves as a platform for demonstrating the competence and potential of Kenyan youth to industry leaders and the broader economy.
Three months ago, two other students from the University stood out in a competition with their innovation, AirSafi, an innovation designed to combat air pollution, thereby making cities and other urban set-ups livable as well as tackling related diseases.
The project by Kevin Gitau and Moses Majengo monitors the air quality index, providing real-time notifications to communities and industries about pollution levels.
The innovative project clinched an award during the inaugural Interuniversity Power Learn Project Hackathon, a competition dedicated to fostering entrepreneurial and technological talents among university students.
Prof Njuguna said that as the university looks to the future, it remains focused on nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and contributing to the development of a skilled workforce that will drive Kenya’s economic and social progress.
“We are on the right trajectory and continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the current and the future of Kenya’s tech skills and talents,” Prof Njuguna said.
