Kibabii University’s graduate in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence under the SKIES Project Mr. Lamech Wafula Walela, has been invited to participate in the 2025 World Food Forum (WFF) flagship event, scheduled to take place from 10th to 17th October, 2025 at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Italy.
Mr. Walela’s research proposal, AquaSense AI Matrix: Community-Powered Water Optimization System for Climate-Adaptive Farming and Fishery Resilience, has been selected as a finalist for the prestigious Transformative Research Challenge. Out of over 1,500 applications, his proposal was among the six semifinalists. Following a two-week mentorship and masterclasses with FAO experts, it advanced as one of the two finalists. This global competition unites young researchers worldwide to create innovative solutions for food system challenges. FAO will cover Mr. Walela’s travel, accommodation, and medical insurance to ensure his full participation in the event.
The 2025 edition of the World Food Forum will run under the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future”, reflecting the collective commitment to transforming agrifood systems into sustainable, equitable, resilient, and nourishing models for all. The event will bring together youth leaders, scientists, innovators, policymakers, investors, civil society actors, farmers’ organizations, academia, and global financial institutions to share knowledge, co-create solutions, and explore ways of accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In addition to the Transformative Research Challenge, this year’s forum will include high-level policy dialogues, scientific roundtables, capacity-building workshops, exhibitions, cultural programmes, and the Global Youth Forum. It will also feature the first Global Exhibition “From Seeds to Foods,” the Rome Water Dialogue, the celebration of World Food Day 2025, and FAO’s 80th Anniversary, which will be marked by the inauguration of the new Food and Agriculture Museum and Network (MuNe).
In a statement by the Project Mentor and Lecturer Mr. Peter Barasa, the University expressed pride in Mr. Walela’s achievement, noting that his participation reflects the University’s commitment to nurturing research with both local relevance and international impact. Other students in the Project include Brenda Chemutai, Lincy Jepchumba and Vincent Choge.
