News

By Remmy Wilson, CMU 

In a resounding victory for Tanzania, the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) has scooped an impressive second place at the prestigious Huawei ICT World Competition that involved 146 teams from 36 countries, in Shenzhen, China recently.

The exceptional trio representing UDSM consisted of Kaisi Peter Redsony, specialising in Computer Engineering, and Magome Christopher Damian and Mwasamila Sylvanus Socian, both studying Telecommunications Engineering at the UDSM College of Information and Communication Technology (CoICT).

“Their exemplary skills and unwavering determination propelled them to remarkable success throughout the competition, earning them widespread admiration and congratulations”, said the obviously overjoyed Principal of CoICT, Prof. Joel Mtebe.

Prof. Mtebe further recalled that the journey to their victory began nine months ago when over 1,000 students from more than nine colleges across Tanzania eagerly registered to participate in these competitions. “These aspiring ICT technologists embarked on a nationwide quest, with UDSM swiftly dominating the national round and claiming the coveted first prize”.

Advancing to the highly competitive Regional Finals (Sub-Saharan), Tanzania was well-represented by three teams, with UDSM emerging victorious, securing second place amongst the top contenders. This remarkable feat earned them the coveted opportunity to proceed to the pinnacle of the competition, the Global Finals.

“In the heart of the bustling city of Shenzhen, China, UDSM's team stood as the sole representatives of Tanzania, ready to showcase their creativity and innovation to a distinguished panel of international judges”, said Prof. Mtebe.

He further noted that despite a fierce competition from 146 teams hailing from 36 countries, they demonstrated exceptional resilience and emerged triumphant as the second-place winners, a testament to their unwavering dedication and relentless hard work.

The Huawei ICT World Competition has long been recognised as a rigorous and highly selective event, attracting over 120,000 students from 2,000 colleges across 74 countries in its initial stages.

“Only the most talented and innovative minds made it through to the Global Finals, where UDSM's achievement further solidified the University's reputation as a hub for technological excellence”, added Dr. Baraka Maiseli, the Head of Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering (ETE) at CoICT.

Meanwhile, the Director of ICT at UDSM, Dr. Musa Kissaka said that UDSM's outstanding performance in this globally renowned competition underscores the University's commitment to nurturing and showcasing exceptional talent in the field of information and communication technology.

“The success of UDSM's students serves as an inspiration for aspiring technologists across Tanzania, and thus reinforces the country's position on the global technological map”, said Dr. Kissaka.

Speaking about their extraordinary experience, Kaisi Peter Redsony expressed his immense pride in participating in the Huawei ICT World Competition and representing both Tanzania and the University of Dar es Salaam. He acknowledged that the team's remarkable achievement was a testament to their tireless efforts and the unwavering support they received.

The Dar es Salaam University Students Organisation (DARUSO) President, Mr. Hamis Hamis Seif, commended UDSM for its relentless empowerment and support provided to students, propelling them to new heights. “UDSM's success in the Huawei ICT World Competition brings great pride and recognition to Tanzania's growing technological ability”.

Many members of staff have noted that, with UDSM's remarkable achievement in this competition, Tanzania's technological talent has garnered a well-deserved applause on the global stage, reaffirming the country's capabilities and potential for future advancements in the ICT field.