“VUT IT students win the 2025 Adapt IT Hackathon in Midrand with EduMate, an AI study companion, showcasing innovation, teamwork, and resilience.”
30 September 2025 | Story By: Qhawekazi Memani Picture: Supplied
3 minutes read time.
A group of talented Information Technology (IT) students from Vaal University of Technology (VUT) emerged victorious at the Adapt IT Hackathon 2025, hosted in Midrand from 23 to 25 September 2025. Competing against some of the country’s top student innovators, the team impressed judges with their groundbreaking solution, EduMate, an artificial intelligence (AI) powered study companion designed to transform the way students manage their academic lives.
The challenge tasked participants with creating technology that improves student learning outcomes. The VUT team responded with EduMate, a smart platform that consolidates academic data from multiple learning management systems, such as Moodle and Canvas, into one seamless dashboard.
EduMate uses AI and machine learning to track student performance, predict risks, and generate personalised study schedules. It also recommends tutors and integrates a gamification element, awarding badges for milestones such as study streaks and grade improvements. A standout innovation was the voice recognition navigation, enabling students to move through the dashboard hands-free.
For many, the hackathon was a whirlwind of creativity, pressure, and problem-solving.
“The most exciting part was implementing voice recognition for navigation,” said Mr Seja Onalenna Hamese (Diploma in IT, 3rd year). “The most difficult was integrating multiple learning management systems under tight time constraints.”
Mr Tshepo Elias Molekoa (Advanced Diploma in IT, 4th year) described the thrill of seeing their scheduling algorithm generate its first working study plan. “The hardest part was ensuring our AI felt genuinely helpful and personalised, not generic.”
For Mr Makuwa Ntabane Evens (Diploma in IT), the most nerve-wracking moment came when a core feature crashed minutes before their presentation. “We pulled together and fixed it just in time. That stressful moment made winning even sweeter.”
Each team member leaned into their strengths: AI and machine learning, backend with PHP Laravel, frontend design, gamification, and pitch preparation. Daily check-ins and quick decision-making kept the project on track. Mr Molekoa reflected, “We naturally fell into roles that played to our strengths, and the key was constant dialogue, so every piece integrated seamlessly.”
For the students, victory was more than just a trophy. Mr Hamese said, “It validates that we solved a real problem students face daily, and it proves we can build scalable solutions that work from high school to university.” Mr Molekoa added, “It is a powerful boost of confidence. Winning showed us we can shape the future of learning, not just passively experience it.”
For Ms Tshenolo Mamagogo Mokgoatjane (Advanced Diploma in IT), the win was particularly meaningful: “After participating in over six hackathons, this was the first time coming in first place. It proved our lecturers’ lessons did not fall on deaf ears.”
The team encouraged future students to take the leap:
· “Pick a problem you care about and focus on one core feature that works perfectly,” advised Mr Hamese.
· “Stay flexible, manage your energy wisely, and practise telling your story so anyone can understand,” added Mr Molekoa.
· Mr Mokgoatjane emphasised teamwork: “Choose teammates who collaborate. When pressure mounts, support is more important than blame.”
· Mr Kagiso Cameron None (Diploma in IT, 3rd year) kept it simple: “It is a good opportunity. Believe in your project.”
For the VUT IT students, the Adapt IT Hackathon 2025 was not just a competition but a milestone that demonstrated the power of teamwork, resilience, and innovation. Their success with EduMate reflects the university’s growing reputation for producing tech-savvy graduates ready to tackle real-world challenges.