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▲ NM-AIST & University of Arusha team, winner of the grand prize at International SMART Startup Competition and Conference (Photo by SNU College of Engineering)

On February 5, Seoul National University’s College of Engineering (Dean: Kookheon Char) announced that Korea-Tanzania Science and Technology Center (iTEC), led by Professor Sung-Hoon Ahn of Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, hosted the International SMART (Startup Mission for Art/Design, Responsibility and Technology) Competition and Conference in Tanzania.

83 student teams and startup teams participated in the competition. 24 teams that made the final round gave presentations of their projects, which were then evaluated according to the technology, social contribution, and design of the content.

The grand prize was awarded to the NM-AIST & University of Arusha team for their pest control method based on plants. They were also awarded 1,000 U.S. dollars and a fully funded trip to the Business Plan Competition held by Washington State University in the U.S.

The second prize went to the Seoul National University & University of Waterloo team, who presented an online educational program in which elder people in developed countries teach English to children in developing countries.

Mrisho Gambo, Regional Commissioner of Arusha, attended the opening and the awards ceremony. He commented that “[we] think highly of Korea’s science and technology as well as its economic development” and expressed strong interest in “Korea’s participation in Tanzania’s education and tourism.”

iTEC is an ODA program run by Seoul National University and sponsored by the Ministry of Science and ICT and National Research Foundation of Korea, providing aid for Tanzania in areas such as energy, water, agriculture, health, education, and business ventures. The competition was organized by SNU’s iTEC, NM-AIST, University Industrial Technology Force (UNITEF), and E3 Empower. This is the first time the competition was held in Africa.

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▲ International SMART Startup Competition and Conference (Photo by SNU College of Engineering)