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Zetech students excel at presidential award contest with AI-powered innovation
'Tugawe Feedback' is a real-time customer feedback solution designed to revolutionise Kenya's hospitality industry
Zetech University is celebrating the remarkable achievement of three IT students who excelled at a Presidential innovation contest.
The students, Brian Mtana, Joy Mwende Ireri and Paul Wako, successfully pitched their groundbreaking innovation, ‘Tugawe Feedback’, at the Presidential Innovation Challenge and Awards under the university category.
‘Tugawe Feedback’ is an AI-powered, real-time customer feedback solution designed to revolutionise Kenya’s hospitality industry.
The innovative platform harnesses the power of AI-driven automation and seamless payment integration to revolutionize how businesses collect and understand customer experiences, according to the student innovators.
“When a customer completes a transaction using Lipa na M-Pesa, our system immediately triggers a personalised WhatsApp feedback request, enabling restaurants and hotels to effortlessly gather, categorize, and analyse real-time customer insights,” said Joy Ireri, Computer Science student.
She added that the intelligent approach not only enhances customer interaction but also empowers businesses with actionable data, turning every transaction into a strategic opportunity for growth, service improvement, and personalised marketing.
“At Tugawe Feedback, we are redefining the art of listening transforming customer feedback from a passive process into a dynamic, intelligent conversation that drives meaningful business evolution,” noted Ms Ireri, an innovator of the Tugawe Feedback.
This solution works by integrating seamlessly with mobile payment systems such as Lipa Na Mpesa, enabling mid-sized restaurants and hotels in urban and semi-urban areas to efficiently collect, analyse, and act on customer insights—all through WhatsApp.
What set Tugawe Feedback apart and gain prominence at the Presidential Innovation Challenge is its ability to enhance the efficiency of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and also integrate technology and AI insights.
The innovation automatically prompts customers for feedback just after payment transactions, and uses AI to categorise and analyse the feedback, providing actionable recommendations.
By harnessing the power of AI and digital innovation, Tugawe Feedback empowers businesses to enhance customer satisfaction, build brand loyalty, and make data-driven decisions to stay ahead in a competitive market, as a tailor-made solution for Kenya’s rapidly growing hospitality sector.
“Seeing Brian, Joy, and Paul passionately present their vision was truly inspiring. Their dedication and teamwork showcase the power of student-led innovation in addressing realworld business challenges,
“The University continues to empower the young generation to find solutions to world problems, and this we do passionately at the Zetech University Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub (iZet Hub),” said Prof. Njenga Munene, Vice-Chancellor, Zetech University.
“At the iZet Hub, we incubate ideas, design and rethink solutions that can impact the society staying true to our mission of fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and technological advancement,” reiterated Prof. Alice Njuguna, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Research and Student Affairs, Zetech University.
Recently Zetech University’s iZet Hub has incubated ideas including the Totsi Cables which is now a leading cables manufacturing company in Kirinyaga, Alex Cane a specialised cane for persons with visual impairment and Smart Pest Deterrent System, a solutions that uses technology to keep away pests from farms.
Another innovation is AirSafi – a solution that measures the air quality index enhancing environmental awareness on pollution levels, and many more. It has earned the attention of the Kenya Airports Authority .
The university extended its gratitude to the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) and the Presidential Innovation Challenge and Awards team at the event for providing a platform that nurtures young innovators and promotes these transformative solutions.
The Tugawe Feedback by Zetech University students is set to shape the future of Kenya’s hospitality industry, after receiving considerable attention of players in the hospitality industry.
The three students are working to secure funding and support to scale-up their innovation for the betterment of the society.
