- 31 May
- 2025
UENR - ITDS TEAM SHINES AT TEKYEREMA PA HACKATHON CHALLENGE
A team of students from the Department Of Information Technology and Decision Sciences (ITDS), University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) recently participated in the Tekyerema Pa Hackathon Challenge from 25th to 31st May 2025, a global competition aimed at bridging the communication gap for persons with speech impairment using technologies like Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) and Text-to-Speech (TTS). The team, led by Mr. Michael Ayitey Junior, Assistant Lecturer, and assisted by Mr. Henry Nii Mettle, Research Assistant, comprised five students from different levels. They traveled to the University of Ghana, Legon, where they competed against four other teams. Notably, the team received significant support from the Information Technology Society (ITS), which provided financial backing to aid their participation. Additionally, the Alumni Association of the Department of Information Technology and Decision Sciences (ITDS) offered valuable support to the team, contributing to the project's success.
During the hackathon, the team received training and mentorship at the University of Ghana's Research Innovation and Development Center (UGRIDC). They worked on developing a system to address speech impairment, making significant progress and gaining valuable insights from peers and experts. The final event was held at the Great Hall, University of Ghana, where the team presented their project and demonstrated its functionality. The event was attended by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, and the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Honorable Samuel Nartey George (MP).
Although the UENR team was not among the final three winners, the experience was invaluable, providing opportunities for academic and professional growth. The team thanked the Vice Chancellor, Professor Elvis Asare-Bediako, for the opportunity and the Head of Department, Professor Peter Appiahene, for his guidance and support. This achievement showcases the university's commitment to innovation and technological advancement, and we look forward to more successes in the future. The support from the ITS and ITDS Alumni Association highlights the importance of collaboration and mentorship in fostering student success.