Online Reporter
Herald Correspondent
Students from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) made history after securing top honours at the prestigious Global Digital Forum held in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.
The event ran from June 5 to 6.
The forum, which brought together over 2 800 participants from 165 countries, featured experts from international organisations, governments, businesses, and academia, showcasing cutting-edge digital innovations.
NUST students dominated the International Internet Security School for Youth, a key segment of the forum designed to foster creative solutions and technical expertise across four critical tracks: Safety, society, international cooperation and media.
Competing against some of the world’s most promising young digital minds, the Zimbabwean delegation, led by NUST scholars and youth expert Farirai Mageza, impressed global judges with their ingenuity and problem-solving skills.
In a ground-breaking achievement, NUST students secured three of the 10 available awards, firmly establishing the university’s position as a hub for digital excellence.
The winners included Tinodaishe Chipikiri, who was awarded in the Society Track for her pioneering work on the iTravel chatbot, a solution designed to assist travellers with accurate information while combating travel misinformation.
Another student, Bridget Sibanda, was recognised as a leading participant in the Society Track, contributing to impactful lab projects alongside fellow NUST students.
Kudzai Zhuwaki was honoured in the International Cooperation Track for developing a framework recommendation for ICTs to support international collaboration — a policy proposal ahead of the World Telecommunication Development Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Their remarkable achievements underscore the strength of NUST’s academic training in digital innovation, cybersecurity, and international technology policy.
The Zimbabwean delegation secured four out of 10 global awards.
The outstanding NUST students have now been invited to participate in an advanced Internet Security School in Russia that runs from July to August, further deepening their expertise and paving the way for future global collaborations.
This historic success highlights the role of NUST in shaping Zimbabwe’s future leaders in digital technology and innovation. As the university continues to foster industry-academic partnerships, its students are proving that Zimbabwe is ready to compete — and excel — on the world stage.
