The Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) recently hosted a dynamic and impactful hackathon focused on applying Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to challenges in space technology. The event brought together aspiring data scientists and engineers to develop innovative solutions with real-world applications, marking another milestone in BIUST’s commitment to research, innovation, and skills development.
The hackathon challenge centered on CubeSats—small, lightweight satellites used for scientific imaging and Earth observation. Participants were provided with a dataset containing satellite images of varying quality and tasked with developing intelligent ML/AI models capable of automatically filtering out low-quality images. The aim was to ensure that only high-quality visuals are transmitted to ground stations, while also accounting for the limited computational capacity available onboard CubeSats. This added an extra layer of complexity, testing both the accuracy and efficiency of the models.
A total of 15 participants took part in the competition. The diverse group included seven students from BIUST, six from Botswana Accountancy College (BAC), one from the University of Botswana (UB), and one representative from the industry. Teams were formed irrespective of institutional affiliation, fostering collaboration, cross-disciplinary learning, and knowledge exchange.
The event was part of a broader initiative led by Hack4Dev, in collaboration with the Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy (DARA) programme. Together, these organisations have supported more than 14 regional hackathons worldwide, aiming to equip students with practical data science and AI skills through real-world problem-solving in fields such as radio astronomy and space science.
Participants were inspired by a keynote address delivered by Mr. Charles Keadibele of BTC, a renowned expert in ML and AI. He also provided insightful feedback during the model presentations, greatly enriching the participants’ learning experience.
As an added incentive, participants had the opportunity to submit their final models to a larger regional competition, where they will compete with peers from other countries. Top-performing submissions stand a chance to win R10,000.00 in prize money.
Looking ahead, Mr. Onkabetse Sengate from the AVN/SKA Directorate, who is leading the BIUST Regional Hackathon, expressed enthusiasm about future events. “Data science and AI have become essential in our daily lives,” he remarked. “This initiative offers a unique platform for students from diverse academic disciplines, including statistics, mathematics, physics, and computer science, to gain hands-on experience working with real data to solve real-world challenges.”
The hackathon not only reinforced BIUST’s dedication to promoting interdisciplinary innovation but also highlighted the university’s role in nurturing the next generation of African scientists and engineers. Organisers and partners praised the participants’ creativity, teamwork, and technical acumen, and expressed excitement for future editions of the event that will continue to strengthen the bridge between academia and industry.