Zetech University students win top honours at global healthcare technology competition in Cyprus

A team of five student innovators from Zetech University has won international recognition after emerging first in the 2026 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Metaverse Grand Challenge, held in Cyprus.

The team, known as Medtriage, represented Kenya and Africa at the 3rd IEEE International Symposium on Emerging Metaverse (ISEMV 2026), held between October 22 and 24 at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan Cyprus) in Larnaka.

Medtriage secured first place in the competition's Simulation-Based Learning category, emerging among two winning teams selected from a record 95 submissions.

The team's innovation, dubbed Immersive Simulation for Emergency Decision-Making in Healthcare Education, uses virtual reality (VR) and immersive digital environments to improve the training of healthcare professionals.

The technology allows medical students and other healthcare learners to practise responding to simulated clinical emergencies, make critical decisions and develop practical skills without putting real patients at risk.

The project also explores how immersive technology can address gaps in conventional healthcare training, particularly in preparing professionals to respond effectively to emergencies where quick decisions can determine patient outcomes.

Zetech University Vice Chancellor Prof. Njenga Munene said the award demonstrated the potential of student-led innovation to address real-world challenges and compete on international platforms.

He said the university would continue supporting research, technology development and entrepreneurship to equip students with skills to develop practical solutions.

Josephat Onkoba, a Master of Science in Information Technology student and member of the team, said the innovation was motivated by the limited opportunities healthcare professionals sometimes have to practise responding to emergencies in realistic environments.

Through its platform, afyaX, the team aims to provide learners with simulated clinical experiences where they can test their decision-making skills and learn from their responses in a safe environment.

Onkoba said presenting the innovation in Cyprus provided an opportunity to showcase Kenyan-developed technology to the international community while engaging with other innovators and exploring opportunities to advance the project.

The team comprises Josephat Onkoba, Samuel Kang’ethe, Memucan Kiprono and Sophy Naliaka, who are pursuing Bachelor of Science degrees in Software Engineering, alongside Grace Kamure, a Computer Science student.

Dr. Brijesh Jajal, Dean of Zetech University's School of ICT, Media and Engineering, said the achievement reflected the practical approach adopted in the university's technology programmes, which equip students to develop software solutions addressing emerging industry needs.

The award adds to the growing recognition of Kenyan student innovators in technology and highlights the potential application of virtual reality in sectors such as healthcare, where practical training and emergency preparedness are critical.

Medtriage's performance in Cyprus also places a spotlight on the role of universities in supporting locally developed technologies with the potential to address challenges beyond the classroom and contribute to global innovation.