Kelvin Kangethe, a Bachelor of Business in Information Technology student, Shannon Mujera a Bachelor of Science Information and Computer Science student and I, had no idea what was in store for us when we entered the Konica Minolta National University Contest back in April as part of the Strathmore University’s IT Student Association (SUITSA). The theme was Augmented Reality, where we were to implement a project that could be applied in the external market as well as in a university setting.

We decided to write a 6000 words proposal on effective waste management. Waste disposal is not only a concern in universities but also in society at large. We realized that few people are enlightened on the different ways of disposing of different types of waste. For example, it is very common for a plastic bottle of water to end up carelessly thrown away on the roadside or an old desktop computer dumped in a landfill.

To solve this, we designed a solution that allows consumers to know how to handle their waste. They are required to scan the barcode of the product; to access information on how to recycle it, the locations of waste collection centres in their vicinity and also the benefits of recycling. This information is presented through augmented reality technology. In a university context, the same can be applied; when one uses the application on campus, they get awarded points that entitle them to special discounts at the university bookshops and cafeterias.

In the competition, we emerged second place nationally and were awarded with an iPad each at the award ceremony, held at the Express Automation headquarters in Westlands on 27th June 2019.

We are happy to have come up with a way of raising awareness on the importance of proper waste management; and how all of us have a role to play in it. Starting in Strathmore, we can influence the rest of the world and create a much cleaner and safer environment. We are grateful to our patron, Mr Andrew Kimutai, and mentor, Mr Paul Ochieng, the Dean of Students.

To be part of the Strathmore University’s IT Student Association (SUITSA) club you can contact Ayan Keynan, the club’s Vice Chair, on ayan.keynan@strathmore.edu. The club meets every Friday from 3 pm at the Management Science Building (MSB) room 7.

 

This article was written by Allan Vikiru – Bachelor of Science Information and Computer Science

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