A student team from Kafrelsheikh University has secured first place in the semi-finals of the Rally Egypt entrepreneurship competition, showcasing a promising solution to the persistent challenges of student accommodation. Their project, Mkany, is a smart digital platform designed to help students find safe and suitable housing using AI and geographic information systems (GIS).
Quick Facts
- Project: Mkany, an AI-powered student housing platform.
- Achievement: First place in the Rally Egypt semi-finals.
- Goal: Provide safe, verified, and exploitation-free housing for students.
Solving Student Housing With AI and GIS
Developed by students from the university’s Faculty of Arts, Mkany directly addresses the problem of finding reliable housing for students living away from home. The platform moves beyond simple listings by integrating several layers of technology to improve safety and efficiency.
Mkany leverages GIS technology to generate a “Livability Score” for different neighborhoods, assessing factors like security, proximity to the university, and access to essential services. It also employs AI algorithms to match students with compatible roommates and uses “Digital Twin” technology to offer immersive 3D virtual tours of properties before a booking is made.
This tech-driven approach aims to eliminate inaccurate information and protect students from potential exploitation, creating a more transparent rental market.
A Full-Stack Ecosystem for Student Life
Mkany’s vision extends beyond just finding a room. The project aims to build an integrated system to support the daily lives of relocated students.
The platform includes plans for secure electronic payment solutions, balanced meal delivery services, and options for cleaning and maintenance. It also intends to foster a supportive community by offering access to co-working spaces, helping students better integrate into their new university environment. The project aligns with Egypt’s Vision 2030, which emphasizes digital transformation and the development of smart cities.
Dr. Yahya Zakaria Eid, President of Kafrelsheikh University, expressed his pride in the team’s achievement, stating that it represents a model for Egyptian youth capable of creating real solutions for societal challenges. He added that the university is focused on preparing a new generation of entrepreneurs who can turn creative ideas into economic projects that support the national economy.
University Hub Cultivates More Innovators
The competition also highlighted other innovative projects from Kafrelsheikh University. A team from the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence presented “SAM – Social Automation Manager,” an AI-based system designed to automate the entire digital marketing cycle, from content creation to performance analysis.
Additionally, a team of engineering graduates showcased the success of “Foodix,” a startup that began as a student project and has since launched its first production line. Foodix tackles food waste by upcycling it into high-value, sustainable animal feed, demonstrating a clear path from academic idea to commercial venture.
About Mkany
Mkany is a student-led project from Kafrelsheikh University designed to be a smart digital platform for student housing in Egypt. It uses GIS, AI, and Digital Twin technologies to help students find safe, suitable, and verified accommodation. The project team includes Youssef Ahmed Sultan, Mohamed Wagih Abdel Fattah, and Youssef Gamal Jawad from the Surveying and Maps program.
Source: Cairo24
