Sol Plaatje University (SPU) students showcased their talent and innovation on the national stage, excelling in the 2024 Centre for High-Performance Computing (CHPC) National Conference. Competing in the Data Intensive Research Initiative of South Africa (DIRISA) Student Datathon and the CHPC Student Cluster Competitions, SPU’s two teams achieved remarkable success, collectively securing four prestigious awards, including an Individual Recognition Award. These accomplishments solidify SPU’s reputation as a rising leader in STEM education and research excellence.
DIRISA Challenge: Technical Expertise and Creative Problem-Solving
The DIRISA Student Datathon challenges participants to harness open research data to address societal challenges. The 2024 theme, “AI for Social Good: Harnessing Data to Tackle Healthcare Challenges in South Africa,” required students to analyse complex datasets to propose innovative healthcare solutions.
SPU’s team, comprising Awonke Nomandodo, Yeyethu Songca, Praise Muzvondiwa, and Calson Netshikulwe, collaborated with researchers Keshan Naicker and Vhutshilo Makhado, under the mentorship of Mrs Eva Mamabolo, lecturer in the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences.
The team excelled in two categories:
- Second Place in the Technical Challenge, showcasing their exceptional technical proficiency.
- Second Place in the Research Poster Presentation for their project, “AI-Powered Diagnostics to Address Manual Diagnosis Challenges in South Africa”. Their innovative approach demonstrated the transformative potential of AI-driven healthcare solutions.
These accolades underscore SPU’s growing leadership in data-driven research and its commitment to addressing real-world challenges through STEM education.
CHPC Student Cluster Challenge: Innovation and Recognition
The CHPC Student Cluster Challenge is a premier event where student teams design and optimise high-performance computing clusters. Teams are evaluated on their cluster performance, design, and technical expertise. SPU’s team of second-year students—Hope Mnguni, Mpumelelo Ndlovu, Gift Nemakonde, and Thabang Mmusi—mentored by Ms Taryn Michael, lecturer in Computer Science, competed with distinction.
After qualifying during the selection round at Nelson Mandela University earlier this year, the team achieved significant success:
Fan Favourite Award: The team garnered the most votes in an online poll hosted on X (formerly Twitter), demonstrating the enthusiastic support of the SPU community.
Most Promising Male Student: Mpumelelo Ndlovu, a second-year BSc Mathematical and Computer Sciences student, received this coveted Individual Recognition Award, accompanied by a R15,000 cash prize, highlighting his potential in high-performance computing.
These achievements reflect on the University’s ability to nurture talent and innovation, setting the stage for continued success in STEM fields.
Building a Legacy in STEM Excellence
The outstanding performance of SPU’s DIRISA and CHPC teams underscores the University’s commitment to advancing STEM education and fostering innovation. These accolades inspire not only SPU students but also the broader South African community, positioning the University as a hub for cutting-edge research and problem-solving.
SPU celebrates the brilliance of its students and mentors.
