SUMAS Launches Hackathon to Inspire Tech Innovation Among Secondary School Students
In a significant move to empower young minds and spark early interest in technology and innovation, the State University of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS), Igbo-Eno, has launched a hackathon programme aimed specifically at secondary school students from its host communities.
The initiative, is part of SUMAS’s broader commitment to community development and youth empowerment, it is designed to cultivate creative thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills among students aged between 13 to 18. The hackathon provides a platform for students to collaborate on tech-driven solutions to real-world issues affecting their immediate learning environment.
Participants are encouraged to work in teams, guided by mentors from SUMAS, to tackle challenges related to environmental sustainability, education, health, digital inclusion, and areas critical to both local and global development.
Speaking at the launch of the event, the Vice-Chancellor of SUMAS, Professor James C. Ogbonna, described the initiative as a landmark investment in the intellectual and creative capacities of young students. He emphasized the importance of experiential learning and highlighted that the Enugu State Government is serious about STEM(Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education, as reflected in its investment in smart schools.
“We believe that innovation should begin at an early age. By organizing this hackathon for secondary school students, we are not just teaching them coding or design, we’re inspiring them to become change-makers in their communities,” Prof. Ogbonna stated.
The programme includes workshops, mentorship sessions, and collaborative brainstorming activities designed to introduce students to basic concepts in programming, design thinking, and project development. Teams will present their solutions before a panel of judges, with awards given for creativity, impact, and collaboration.
Rev. Fr. Edward Anoliefo, the Coordinator, Trainer, and Chief Instructor of the hackathon, emphasized the importance of the training in equipping young students with essential ICT skills and ideas for future sustainability.
“This hackathon is part of SUMAS’s social obligations. We want these young students to see themselves as creators. It’s about capacity building, and by the end of this hackathon, they should be able to build something and understand how technology can solve everyday problems,” he said.
He further noted that the hackathon is not just a competition but a learning experience that builds confidence and teamwork. The goal is to “catch them young” and expose students to the power of technology development at an early stage.
The hackathon is currently ongoing at SUMAS’s Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment ICT lab, with participation from over 10 secondary schools in the surrounding communities.
Engaging with some of the participants, Loveline from Community Secondary School, Imilike-Uno, shared that the programme has been challenging, especially since it’s her first time joining such an event. However, she expressed optimism, believing she will adapt as time goes on.
Another student, Mbah Obinna from Community Secondary School, Mbu, described the training as “one of its kind,” adding that it has been very interesting and that he has learned a lot in just a few days.
The hackathon will culminate in a grand finale, where participating teams will pitch their projects to a panel of judges drawn from SUMAS officials. This final presentation will serve both to assess their knowledge and to encourage innovation and continuous learning among the students.
The Coordinator confirmed that SUMAS plans to sustain the initiative by making the hackathon an annual event, targeting more students across Enugu State. In addition, discussions are underway to establish community ICT clubs in participating schools to help maintain momentum after the programme ends.
It’s also worth noting that free transportation and feeding have been provided for all participating students throughout the duration of the event.
As the 45 young participants settle into their learning journey, excitement fills the air at the FEBE ICT lab. For these students, the hackathon is more than a competition; it is a gateway to endless possibilities in the fast-evolving world of information and communication technology.
By targeting students at such a formative stage in their academic journey, SUMAS hopes to lay the groundwork for a more inclusive and innovative future, beginning right within its own community.
