In 2022, the Morogoro Youth Empowerment through the Establishment of Social Innovation (YEESI) Lab embarked on an initiative to empower young individuals with the artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) knowledge, skills, and competence required to tackle pressing challenges in the agricultural sector. Through their open courseware program, YEESI Lab offered a curriculum on Student-centered Problem-Based Learning for Machine Vision in Agriculture, led by a team of competent instructors.
The open courseware offered by YEESI Lab has provided students with a unique opportunity to access high-quality education from anywhere on earth and at the comfort of their own homes. Video lectures, which are easily accessible online accompanied each course. The convenience and flexibility of this format have enabled students from diverse backgrounds to engage with the material and benefit from the expertise of the instructors.
Dr. Kadeghe G. Fue, the YEESI Lab PI, provided an insightful overview of the project and course. Mr. Deus F. Kandamali and Ms. Catherine F. Mangare delivered lectures on ML in Agriculture (Kandamali’s lectures, Mangare’s lectures), while Dr. Alcardo A. Barakabitze shared valuable insights on Mobile App Development. Dr. Sixbert K. Maurice delved into the Introduction to Digital Agriculture, and Ms. Rehema Mwawado’s lectures on Machine Vision in Agriculture emerged as a favorite among students. Dr. Joseph P. Telemala and Mr. Hussein Mkwazu guided learners through Problem-solving and Program Design with Python (Telemala’s lectures, Mkwazu’s lectures), and Dr. Michael P. J. Mahenge shared valuable knowledge on Entrepreneurship for Artificial Intelligence.
Students who have undergone the training have not only gained knowledge but also applied it in real-world scenarios. Many have participated in prestigious hackathons and competitions conducted by Zindi Africa, YEESI Lab, and SUA Industrial Day. These achievements are a testament to the practical skills and problem-solving abilities that the courses have instilled in the learners.
The impact of the YEESI Lab Open Courseware extends beyond individual successes. The knowledge gained by the students has the potential to contribute to the development of the agricultural sector. By equipping young minds with expertise in machine vision, mobile app development, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship, YEESI Lab is nurturing a generation of innovators who can address the challenges faced by farmers and drive sustainable change. The impact of this program will undoubtedly ripple through the lives of the students, their communities, and the agricultural sector.
To learn more about the inspiring work of the YEESI Lab and the accomplishments of its students, please visit the links below:
- UmojaHack Africa 2022 (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)
- IndabaX Tanzania
- UmojaHack Africa 2023 (Beginner, Intermediate)
- Weekend of MV hackathon
- Africa Biomass Challenge
