Innovation Unleashed: Developers Shine at NUST x Ballerina Hackathon
The Ballerina Hackathon 2024, a vibrant collaboration between leading software company WSO2 and NUST, took place recently. The event challenged Namibian developers and students to push the boundaries of application programming interface (API) integration, microservices orchestration, and event-driven systems. Serving as a platform to showcase technical prowess, the hackathon also tackled real-world integration challenges, aligning with Namibia’s strategic development goals. Ballerina is an open-source programming language for the cloud that makes it easier to use, combine and create network services
Groundbreaking Solutions
The winning team, led by second-year Software Engineering student Frans Nekongo, captivated the judges with an innovative feedback and memo system powered by Ballerina, Kafka, and MongoDB. This project earned them first place and a cash prize of approximately N$9 000, in recognition for the its potential to revolutionise communication processes. Nekongo shared his aspirations, saying: “I plan to deploy my project globally using the Choreo platform after refining its functionalities”.
The second-place team was awarded about N$5 400 for their ingenious microservices orchestration solution aimed at streamlining healthcare operations. This project demonstrated how Ballerina could transform healthcare efficiency through automation, showcasing its potential to impact the sector on a national scale.
Meanwhile, the third-place team took home approximately N$3 600 for their user-friendly digital attendance register, designed to modernise NUST’s administrative processes and enhance campus efficiency.
Bridging Academia and Industry
The hackathon was a testament to the powerful synergy between academia and industry, providing students with hands-on experience in tackling real-world challenges using cutting-edge tools like Ballerina. Reflecting on the event, Ismael Mudjanima, a member of the third-place team, noted: “The support from the Ballerina team, the NUST community, and my lecturer, Ms Nashandi, made this experience unforgettable and inspiring”.
Beyond technical expertise, participants connected with industry leaders, gaining valuable exposure and networking opportunities. The Ballerina Hackathon exemplifies how nurturing young developers through such initiatives can shape Namibia’s technological future. By equipping students with the skills and experience to address pressing challenges, the event underscores the nation’s commitment to fostering innovation and empowering the next generation of tech leaders.
