Under the expert mentorship of Dr Vikash Jugoo, Head of Information and Communication Technology at MUT, a dynamic student team named CODENEXUS has been crowned overall champions at the prestigious 2025 International Young Innovate Hackathon, held on 20–21 August in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Representing MUT with pride and innovation, students Nkazimulo Nene, Senzwa Jongihlathi, and Yudi Ramanand captivated a panel of international judges with their 10-minute pitch titled “Bridging Rural Healthcare Gaps in South Africa.” Their AI-powered, multilingual healthcare solution aims to serve underserved communities, an idea that resonated deeply with the adjudicators.
“This was a very intense competition. The decision was not easy. We were impressed by the knowledge and attention the students gave to their pitch. You are addressing a vital social issue. Ensure this project blossoms by developing and monetising it. You are very talented,” remarked one of the judges.
The hackathon featured eight teams from seven universities across South Africa, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia, all of which are members of the University Incubator Consortium, a collaborative initiative uniting 21 universities across Africa and Asia, including institutions from South Africa, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Philippines. Its mission is to empower early-stage startups and student entrepreneurs. The judging panel included venture capital investors from diverse sectors, adding weight to the competition’s global significance.
This milestone was made possible through the visionary leadership of Professor Nokuthula Sibiya, MUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal. Despite financial constraints, Professor Sibiya has championed international opportunities for MUT students. She was present at AJOU University in Tashkent to witness the team’s victory firsthand. MUT joined the University Incubator Consortium in February 2025, following an MOU signed at the University of Mpumalanga. Just six months later, Professor Sibiya approved and funded the team’s participation in the hackathon.
“There is great talent at MUT. Our students and staff need our support, so our name is seen and known on global stages like this. I am proud of the journey we are taking to change the narrative about MUT. Just last week, two MUT staff members were awarded for best oral presentation and best poster at the International Conference on Public Health in Bangkok. From now on, I will ensure students are included in our internationalisation plans and budgets. We are rooted in Umlazi, but we’re building globally attuned graduates,” said Professor Sibiya.
During their pitch, the students demonstrated not only technical expertise but also a deep understanding of their project’s societal impact. Their interpersonal skills and networking efforts have already begun to build valuable international connections, benefiting both their personal growth and MUT’s global reputation. Congratulations to Team CODENEXUS and everyone who made this achievement possible.