Intel launched a new initiative in Kenya aiming to help software and program developers in East Africa benefit directly from Intel Software and Services Group. The Intel Inter University App challenge was held on Friday, September 26, 2014 at University of Nairobi’s CD4 Lab.
The challenge saw up to 100 competitors all battling it out for the prizes including Win cool devices with Intel Inside, the opportunity to gain app marketing deals and of course bragging rights as top App Developer. Some of the students that included Jonathan Kibet who developed the “Black spot Spotter” giving black spot location alerts.
Another contestant, Cornelius Kibet from Mount Kenya University developed a mathematics application. One of the more interesting applications included the “Sheng Dictionary” that was formulated by a student named John Muchiri from S. Paul’s University.
An application appropriately dubbed Inventory Master developed by Peter Migwi Mburu targeted business people to help them in tracking of business stock. Another application dubbed” XOXO” created by Ian Wambai from University of Nairobi is a social app for sharing what you are doing at the moment with your friends much like Facebook or Twitter.
At the end of the day, only a handful could be awarded and in third place was an app referred to as “My Scheduler” developed by Roy Allela. The app sends pre-written emails, SMS and event reminders at a pre-determined time just like a personal secretary. In second position was the Gaming App known as “Fish Hunt” developed by the ardent student Kobi Momanyi from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. The astute scholar named Symon Muthemba emerged as top dog amongst 100 other app developers with his winning “Stimalight App” that informs users of scheduled blackouts.
After rigorous judging, our of all the universities participated from all corners of the country Kenyatta University made it third with University of Nairobi garnering 173 points falling a close second. Subsequently, Jomo Kenyatta University of Nairobi made it through as first with 192 points.
The event exposed many students to benefits of thinking out of the box for the sake of innovation, to create solutions for the society. If you are interested, stay abreast with current events to get a chance to compete.Hopefully the government will seek out the individuals who participated and make better solutions for the Kenyan society.
