The Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) marked a proud moment at the 2025 Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) Mombasa Show when its Vice Chancellor, Professor Laila Abubakar, received three trophies and recognition from H.E. President William Ruto, along with Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, at the showground. Their presence underscored both national and county recognition of the university’s growing impact in research, education, and innovation.
Also present were Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Research and Extension, Prof. Peter Gichangi, and Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Finance and Planning, Prof. Joseph Rasowo, alongside other staff members who came to support the students and witness the innovations firsthand.
TUM excelled in four categories, emerging 1st place in three and receiving 2nd place recognition in one:
1st: The Best University Stand
1st: The Stand that Best Interprets the Current Show Theme (Education)
1st: The Best Innovation and Invention Stand
2nd (Recognition): The Best Stand in Research and Development (Educational)
This year’s show was held under the theme "Promoting Climate Smart Agriculture and Trade Initiatives for Sustainable Economic Growth". It provided a platform for TUM students and staff to present innovations that address real-world challenges while supporting Kenya’s development agenda.
From seaweed-based products to smart nutrient culture solutions, microcontroller-powered smart wheelchairs, automatic solar-cleaning robots, and affordable urban planning models, TUM’s exhibition was a vibrant showcase of creativity, technology, and problem-solving.
Among the innovators was Fredrick Onyango, a fourth-year Computer Science student, who presented Agrivision, a drone system capable of detecting crop diseases, calculating yields, and boosting precision agriculture. His project has already earned international recognition, securing second place at the IEEE Summit Hackathon in Rwanda and third place at another global competition in Malaysia. Fredrick is set to present Agrivision again in Tunisia in April 2026.
Another highlight was John Opanda, a final-year Electrical Engineering student, who showcased a self-sufficient smart greenhouse. His design combines hybrid renewable energy systems, automated water management, IoT-based climate control, and remote monitoring. Earlier this year, his innovation received a 2nd position award at the Young People in Agriculture Awards (YIAA!) held in Kakamega, under the guidance of their Patron, Ms. Bibiye Mahmud, the chair of TUM’s Innovations Team.
John noted how his project directly supports the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda, saying:
“This project empowers farmers at the grassroots, creates jobs for youth, and boosts food production through smart technology. It also complements County Aggregation and Industrial Parks by offering a replicable model for agro-tech innovation.”
TUM’s Registrar, Partnership, Research and Innovation, Prof. Rahma Udu, expressed her pride in the university’s achievement: "We are very happy for this achievement. We registered for five categories and got four. We have done very well and improved on what we got last year with two more trophies."
The university’s performance at the 2025 ASK Show reflects significant growth compared to last year and affirms its commitment to innovation, research, and socio-economic development.
