Government Earmarks Shs500 Billion For Innovation Fund

Posted by: lukwago J in Uganda news March 27, 2019

In a bid to spur science innovations at universities, Government has announced shs 500billion for establishing science and innovation fund.

According to Science and Innovation Minister Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye this has taken over 5 years to realize its implementation.

“Cabinet has at last put up science and innovation framework that will establish research and innovations fund in place,”Tumwesigye said.

The fund will support universities engaged in science innovations and support youth innovations projects as well.

It will also boast universities, research and science incubations.

The minister announcement the development while closing this year’s edition of higher education exhibition in Kampala.

Makerere university department if engineering was the first beneficiary of this presidential science and innovation fund securing 15 billion for its kiira motors and kayoola bus project.

The exhibition was held under the theme: mainstreaming information, communication technology in research in higher education delivery.

International University of East Africa, Kampala International University, Uganda Christian University, Ndejje University, Eslsca International University and LImkokwing University of creative technology were among the 50 universities and 200 tertiary institutions that participated in the exhibition. National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) the regulatory body that supervises operations and licensing universities and other tertiary institutions organized the event.

NCHE recognized several universities for showcasing unique ICT and science related innovations for instance IUEA was recognized for introducing virtual education, teaching robotics and practical skills training programmes in Africa.

“IUEA is unique high quality university that is modeled on the best universities in the world and dedicated to producing world-class graduates who are masters of their chosen fields of study and simultaneously highly employable and capable of innovating new products and building new companies as entrepreneurs, “Cuthbert Atwongyeire IUEA Marketing Coordinator noted.

“IUEA puts its emphasize on hands on practical skills learning.we also have infrastructure for the provision of higher education quality education teaching, learning research and service such as free wifi internet access throughout the campus, free laptop computers for all full-time students on degree programmes, e-library and presence of highly qualified lecturers and professors,” he added.

NCHE director research Dr.Nora Mulira cautioned universities to put much emphasis on technology advancement in their teaching as visible strategic tool in higher education delivery and research.

“The role of ICT is taking centre stage as enabler within the domain of higher education especially in delivery, management, research and innovation. As consequence many universities lack adequate research capabilities, infrastructures and facilities needed to make them active beneficiaries of global knowledge to generate or adapt knowledge, innovations and problem solving,”Mulira explained.

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