- Professor Tawanda Mushiri served as a judge at the WFEO global engineering hackathon.
- The event was held during World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development 2026.
- The hackathon brought together engineers and young innovators to develop solutions to real-world challenges.
PROFESSOR Tawanda Mushiri, the Executive Director for Technical Services at the Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC), recently took on the role of judge at a global engineering hackathon hosted by the World Federation of Engineering Organisations (WFEO).
This event was part of the activities leading up to the 2026 World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development.
The WFEO launched the hackathon to inspire engineers and young innovators to come up with practical solutions to pressing global issues. Representing engineering institutions from over 90 countries, the organisation is dedicated to promoting engineering for sustainable development.
Mushiri expressed his gratitude to WFEO for the opportunity to join the judging panel.
“I would like to sincerely thank the World Federation of Engineering Organisations for giving me the opportunity to serve as a judge for the hackathon,” he said.
He described the experience as a privilege that opened his eyes to fresh ideas from engineers across the globe.
“It was a great honour to participate in this important initiative that promotes innovation, creativity and problem-solving among engineers globally and young innovators,” he added.
The hackathon aimed at engineering solutions that tackle real-world challenges related to sustainable development goals. Such events unite engineers, students, and innovators to create new technologies in a short timeframe.
Mushiri noted that the judging panel encountered a wealth of creative ideas during the competition.
“Being part of the judging panel allowed me to witness remarkable innovations aimed at addressing real-world challenges,” Mushiri said..
World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development is celebrated annually on 4 March. UNESCO established this international day in 2019 to underscore the significance of engineering in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The day is coordinated on a global scale by the World Federation of Engineering Organisations (WFEO) along with various engineering institutions. It aims to foster engineering education, innovation, and collaboration across different nations.
Mushiri expressed that the event highlighted the importance of international cooperation among engineers.
“I am grateful for the trust placed in me and for the opportunity to contribute to an event that supports engineering excellence and collaborative innovation,” he said.
He also mentioned his desire to keep collaborating with the federation on upcoming programmes.
“I look forward to continued engagement with WFEO and to supporting future initiatives that advance engineering for sustainable development,” he added.
Mushiri serves as the Executive Director for Technical Services at SIRDC, which is Zimbabwe’s national research and development organisation. The organisation is dedicated to industrial innovation, technology development, and scientific research to bolster economic growth.
