TUT students showcase sustainable innovation at Sustainability Olympiad

Innovative student solutions that address real-world sustainability challenges have secured a place for the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Informatics teams in the Regional Sustainability Olympiad Competition in Kenya. Their success follows participation in the 2026 Sustainability Olympiad (SOL) Process Testing Winter School and Innovation Pitch Competition, held from 7 to 22 July 2026 at TUT in partnership with the University of Geneva in Switzerland.

The international initiative develops future-ready innovators equipped to create sustainable social, economic and environmental impact.

Universities, industry, governments and communities annually gather at the Sustainability Olympiad to help students develop innovative solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative encourages students to transform ideas into practical solutions that create lasting social, economic and environmental impact.

Students from the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology's Department of Informatics participated in the programme under the leadership of Dr Anna Segooa, Senior Lecturer: Informatics, who leads the initiative at TUT.

She said the programme is far more than a local competition.

"The Sustainability Olympiad is an internationalisation initiative and a strategic collaboration between TUT and the University of Geneva. It brings together universities, students, industry and communities to address real-world challenges through the Sustainable Development Goals framework while promoting international collaboration, innovation and future-ready skills."

Four student teams participated in the local competition, each presenting a three-minute innovation pitch focused on sustainability challenges. Winning teams secured places in the Regional Sustainability Olympiad Competition at United States International University-Africa in Kenya from 21 to 24 August 2026, where they will compete against universities from across Africa. Regional winners will advance to the International Sustainability Olympiad Finals at the University of Geneva from 6 to 9 November 2026.

Dr Segooa added that the student innovations originated in the Process Testing module within the Informatics curriculum.

"Our students identified sustainability challenges and began developing their solutions during the semester as part of the Process Testing module. The Winter School served as a methodology to strengthen these projects with design thinking, mentorship, prototype refinement, process testing, stakeholder engagement, pitch preparation and the development of technopreneurial skills that help them transform innovative ideas into sustainable products with commercial potential and meaningful social and economic impact.

Beyond technical knowledge, students strengthened their creativity, teamwork, critical thinking, communication skills, resilience and entrepreneurial mindset while addressing real-world sustainability challenges.

The University recognised all participants during AI Week, awarding certificates for their successful completion of the Sustainability Olympiad Process Testing Winter School and Innovation Pitch Competition. First- and second-place winners also received Work-Integrated Learning placements from Hiteknology Solutions and Rain Cloud Group, as well as goody bags from the Office of Internationalisation.

Dr Segooa thanked all the individuals and organisations whose support contributed to the success of the initiative. She also acknowledged Dr Vathiswa Papu-Zamxaka, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, as well as the Office of Internationalisation for advancing TUT's international partnerships.

As the winning teams prepare to compete in Kenya, the Faculty of ICT celebrates their achievement and wishes them success on the road to the global finals in Switzerland. Their journey demonstrates TUT's commitment to developing graduates who drive innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable development across Africa and beyond.

Dr Anna Segooa, Senior Lecturer.