Ocean Hackathon Finals in France: Nigerian Engineer, Mark Irozuru, Leads Bournemouth University Team to Global Recognition

By Ugo Aliogo

When Mark Irozuru left Nigeria to pursue postgraduate studies in cybersecurity and human factors at Bournemouth University, he carried with him more than academic ambition. A software engineer with a background in electrical and electronic systems, Irozuru has built a reputation for mentoring young developers, writing on infrastructure reliability, and stepping forward to lead when it matters most.

That instinct was on display when he volunteered to lead Bournemouth University’s team at the Ocean Hackathon 2023, a global innovation challenge endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

The Ocean Hackathon, first launched in Brest, France, in 2016, has grown into a global fixture for marine innovation.

Each year, dozens of cities host local editions where teams are given tasks to turn open ocean data into working prototypes that address real challenges of marine and coastal challenges, from plastic waste and biodiversity loss to overfishing and rising sea levels.

The initiative aims to bridge the gap between science, technology, and policy by encouraging practical solutions that can be developed beyond the competition. Winners from each city advance to the international finals in Brest, where their projects are presented to experts, investors, and industry leaders committed to the future of the world’s oceans.

Under Irozuru’s leadership, the Bournemouth team won first place at the UK regional event, securing the right to represent the country at the international finals in Paris. Competing against 14 teams from across the globe, they placed an impressive fourth worldwide, marking a standout moment for both the university and this young technology leader.

Reflecting on the experience, Irozuru described it as a defining moment: “Competitions like the Ocean Hackathon show us that technology has to serve more than business; it has to serve people and the planet. Leading a team to represent the UK on a global stage was both a privilege and it reinforced for me the importance of mentoring and collaboration in solving problems that affect us all.”

“The oceans are central to life on Earth, and initiatives like this remind us that engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs all have a role to play in protecting them. For me, it reinforced why contributing to the tech ecosystem is just as important as technical work.”

For Bournemouth University, the result highlighted the potential of student-led innovation. For Irozuru, it was another step in a journey defined by a commitment to advancing the tech ecosystem beyond personal achievement. He has previously served as a mentor at various tech initiatives where he teaches technical skills and provides guidance on tech career pathways.

The Ocean Hackathon is designed to spark practical solutions, but its wider impact lies in cultivating leaders who can carry those ideas beyond the hackathon. For Irozuru, the recognition in Paris was less a finish line than a signal of what’s possible when young engineers step forward, not only to build, but to guide others in building and contributing to innovative solutions.

As the climate crisis intensifies, the world will need more figures who can bridge disciplines, mentor others, and guide collaborative efforts under pressure. For the wider tech community, it is a call to action. More professionals must look beyond short-term wins and invest their time and expertise in initiatives that strengthen the ecosystem and create solutions with lasting impact. Mark’s example deserves recognition, but it also deserves replication by others willing to lead, mentor, and build for the common good. Because in the end, technology is only as powerful as the people who choose to use it, and the oceans, the water, and the earth need that support now more than ever.