18/06/2025
AE-FUNAI HOLDS MAIDEN STUDENTS’ HACKATHON COMPETITION IN FOOD VALUE-CHAIN MANAGEMENT
In a bold stride towards discovering, mentoring and empowering the next generation of inventors, innovators and industrialists who are inclined to turning their ideas, creativity and innovation into tangible marketable products and services, the Faculty of Agriculture, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Nfufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, on Tuesday, 10th June, 2025 organized a students’ hackathon competition, a first of its kind in the history of the institution, geared towards harnessing the creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial skills of students to address real-life challenges in agriculture food value chain management.
The competition was organized as part of the Cooperation for Holistic Agriculture Innovation Nests in Sub-Saharan Africa (CHAIN) project, co-funded by the European Union through its Erasmus+ Programme, implemented across six countries- Germany, Romania, Poland, Nigeria, Kenya, and Togo, targeted at engaging students across all levels in developing technological and entrepreneurial solutions to improve food value chain management in Nigeria and beyond
The CHAIN Coordinator, Prof. Robert Onyeneke, in his welcome address, noted that AE-FUNAI was one of the universities chosen to implement and modernize agricultural education in partner institutions by fostering a more holistic and human-centered approach to agricultural education, training and innovation.
He marveled at the students’ commitment to the project, stating that in May, 2025, the AE-FUNAI CHAIN project called for applications, and 28 applications were received from both male and female (50%:50%) students at both the postgraduate and undergraduate levels from different disciplines, which is meant to stimulate practical solutions that can enhance efficiency, sustainability, and resilience across the entire food value chain from production to consumption.
Prof. Onyeneke speaking further, outlined the notable achievements the CHAIN project has recorded since its inception in 2023, adding that the project’s success has been the timely and complete acquisition of essential equipment and resources which are currently being used for research, teaching and learning, postgraduate verification exercise of the Agribusiness Department as well as the undergraduate programs in the Faculty of Agriculture amongst others.
He noted that the students were grouped into four themes to solve food value chain management problems, and that at the end, the students will present their projects to judges and winners will be rewarded.
Concluding, Prof. Onyeneke thanked the university management for their support and guidance towards the project, reiterating that it aligns with the university’s broader vision of fostering innovation, research, and community impact.
Declaring the event open, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sunday Elom appreciated the Faculty, and the Coordinator of the CHAIN project for driving the initiative, adding that student’s hackathon is a very innovative initiative which will contribute to the university global ranking.
He also commended the team for meeting all the provisions in the proposals that won the grant, stressing that it sets the stage for attracting more funding to the university.
The Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Abel Ezeoha, further praised members of the project team for the equipment the project procured to support the university as well as for bringing students together to participate in the competition, adding that it will enhance their hands-on skills, and assured of the university’s support to drive the project to a conclusive end.
The highlight of the competition was the presentation of awards to the best team with group 1 topping the list. A critical look at their presentations, foretold the energy, innovation, and inspiration at every turn. The Hackathon not only celebrated the brilliance of these students but also ignited a movement to make their presence and impact more visible, viable, and valuable.
