TUT and University of Mpumalanga launch Artificial Intelligence Hackathon 

TUT and University of Mpumalanga launch Artificial Intelligence Hackathon. A first-of-its-kind competition in the province was launched by the Tshwane University of Technology and the University of Mpumalanga on 27 July 2023.

TUT and University of Mpumalanga launch Artificial Intelligence Hackathon

An eMalahleni Campus Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Information Communication and Technology at TUT jointly host MAISH. We aim to nurture the talents of budding students hackers, AI enthusiasts and engineers at the event.

The competition provides students with the opportunity to work on innovative ideas and solve real-life industrial challenges. 

Our hackathon theme for this year was To solve Africa’s problems using Artificial Intelligence (AI), which refers to the province’s economic development and growth. Additionally, some of the best AI talent in the region was available to students and staff during the event. 

TUT’s ICT Unit Manager for the first year and foundation unit, Phurutsi Mashitishi, said the hackathon will enable students to gain skills that will make them job-ready and future-ready. He said that students’ inventiveness and creativity will contribute to society’s economic development.

Students studying computing at TUT eMalahleni Campus and University of Mpumalanga are encouraged to participate, however, Senyeki Marebane, FoICT Academic Manager at TUT eMalahleni, said that students from other faculties would also be welcomed.

Lecturer Rivalani Hlangwane, from UMP, explained why participating in MAISH is important: “Hackathons foster innovation and encourage participants to think innovatively and come up with valuable solutions.”. “We need solutions that have a positive impact on society,” he said.

There were over 300 students from various faculties, including the Faculty of ICT, Engineering and Management Science, as well as distinguished guests from the industry, including Nkgwete-IT and the Emalahleni Local Municipality, in attendance at the event.

Countdown of the launch at eMalahleni Campus.