ESA–GDG–IEEE Tech Day & Hackathon

#ESA_GDG_IEEE #innovatingForImpact

The ESA–GDG–IEEE Tech Day & Hackathon, hosted by the Engineering Students Association (ESA) at Moi University in partnership with the Google Developer Group (GDG) and the IEEE Computer Society Moi Student Branch (IEEE CS Moi), serves as a dynamic, student-driven technology initiative. This event is designed to immerse engineering and technology students in a rich learning atmosphere through a series of technical talks, interactive workshops, mentorship opportunities, and an engaging hackathon competition.

During this event, participants collaborate in teams to ideate and prototype solutions aimed at tackling real-world challenges by leveraging contemporary technologies, professional engineering standards, and open-source resources. By combining the industry-focused reach of GDG with the technical and academic excellence of the IEEE Computer Society, the event focuses on fostering practical skills, encouraging innovation, and promoting teamwork. It serves to acquaint students with industry best practices, effectively preparing them for successful careers in software engineering, automation, and the rapidly evolving landscape of global technological fields.

Hackathon Focus Areas

Participants will build solutions in the following tracks:

• AI & Machine Learning (Predictive analytics for local challenges).

• Embedded Systems & IoT (Smart hardware solutions for industry).

• FinTech (M-Pesa integrations and digital payment systems).

• Sustainability (Renewable energy and smart campus initiatives).

• Cybersecurity (Securing digital infrastructure).

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• Main Campus: P.O. Box 3900 – 30100, Kesses, Eldoret, Kenya.
• Eldoret, Rift Valley
• Kenya 3900 - 30100
• Building: School of Engineering
• Click here for Map

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• Contact Event Host
• Co-sponsored by ESA MU, GDG Moi, Github

• Starts 29 January 2026 09:00 PM UTC
• Ends 26 March 2026 09:00 PM UTC
• No Admission Charge

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Here is the refined agenda, strictly removing all references to monetary prizes and replacing them with high-value professional incentives like certification vouchers, GitHub swag, and career-building resources.

Official Event Agenda: ESA–GDG–IEEE Tech Day & Hackathon

Theme: Innovating for Impact Date: 27th March, 2026 | Time: 08:00 AM – 05:00 PM

Morning: Inspiration & Technical Foundation

• 08:00 AM – 08:45 AM: Registration & Hardware Setup

  • Check-in and collection of entry badges.

  • Initial setup of development environments and Wi-Fi configuration.

• 08:45 AM – 09:15 AM: Grand Opening Ceremony

  • Introductory remarks by the ESA, GDG, and IEEE Computer Society Leads.

  • Keynote: The Role of Open Source and Professional Societies in Modern Engineering.

• 09:15 AM – 10:15 AM: Technical Tracks & GitHub Workshop

  • GitHub Session: Leveraging the GitHub Student Developer Pack for career success.

  • GDG/IEEE Session: Best practices in scalable backend architecture and hardware-software integration.

• 10:15 AM – 10:45 AM: Team Formation & Challenge Reveal

  • Announcement of hackathon tracks.

  • Finalizing teams (3–5 members) and project ideation.

Mid-Day: The Innovation Sprint

• 10:45 AM – 01:00 PM: Hacking Session: Round 1

  • Development of Minimum Viable Product (MVP).

  • Mentorship Circuit: IEEE CS and GDG technical leads provide hands-on debugging and architecture guidance.

• 01:00 PM – 01:45 PM: Networking Lunch & Mentor AMA

  • Break for refreshments.

  • Informal "Ask Me Anything" session with industry guests on career paths and certifications.

• 01:45 PM – 03:30 PM: Hacking Session: Round 2 (The Final Push)

  • Finalizing features and polishing project documentation on GitHub.

  • Preparing the demo presentation.

Evening: The Showdown & Recognition

• 03:30 PM – 04:30 PM: Project Demos & Pitching

  • 3-Minute Rapid Pitches: Teams demonstrate their working prototypes to the panel of judges.

  • Judging Focus: Practicality, Technical Depth, and Open-Source Collaboration.

• 04:30 PM – 05:00 PM: Awards & Closing Ceremony

  • Recognition of Winners: Presentation of Professional Certification Vouchers, Premium GitHub Swag, Hardware Development Kits, and Certificates of Excellence.

  • Closing remarks and group photo.

• 05:00 PM: Official Departure