General
The Mak-developed cellphone-based remote car control system
Developed using a toy car as the prototype, one could hardly believe that it was going to be used in a real life car and be able to do the exact same functions. The cell phone based remote control technology will help minimise vehicles robbed per month by embracing the ICT based systems.
Developed using a toy car as the prototype, one could hardly believe that it was going to be used in a real life car and be able to do the exact same functions. The cell phone based remote control technology will help minimise vehicles robbed per month by embracing the ICT based systems.
The system works in such a way that the software is embedded into the microprocessor which acts as an intermediary between phone and vehicle and that is how commands are executed from the mobile telephone to the vehicle.
The project is funded by the Faculty of Computing & IT and a car tracking company known as Uganda Motor Vehicle Safety and Remote Engineering Services owned by Engineer Wekesa John. He has been the brains behind the project since its inception in 2006.
The project has been faced by a number of challenges like inadequate operation in areas with poor mobile phone network reception. The other common problem faced is with financing, though this is being worked on after submission of a funding proposal to the University.
The project as a vehicle safety system is unique in that unlike most alarms which only operate within a certain range, this has no limited working range. The other would be that unlike other companies which rely on computer-based tracking systems, one only needs his mobile phone to locate his/her vehicle.
The project is expected to kick off by the end of July 2010 and technical staff have already been trained to assemble and in install the components being imported from Singapore at a cost of 300 to 400 US dollars depending on the number of functions. These functions include; engine start/stop, hooting, window operation and camera functionality and the customer will be left with the option of choosing which functionality they would like to have in their car. The project is targeting private car owners, transport companies and corporate companies with vehicle fleets.
Article by Isaac Musimenta
General
Makerere University and Xiangtan University Advance Strategic Partnership in Chemical Engineering
Makerere University and Xiangtan University are set to update their close to 20-year academic partnership, with a new focus on launching a joint Master’s degree program in Chemical Engineering and expanding student and staff exchange initiatives.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a recent visit by a delegation from Xiangtan University to Makerere University headed by Professor Dingyu Ou, in the company of Mr. Tang Fei and Professor Gilbert Gumshabe, the Chinese and Ugandan Directors of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University respectively.
While addressing the delegation, Professor Nawangwe highlighted that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to diversify academic offerings and contribute to national development through training in Chemical Engineering. Through this new initiative, the University will better prepare graduates for the petrochemical industry and support the country’s industrial growth.
The Vice Chancellor appreciated that the proposed collaboration aims to address Uganda’s growing need for industrial expertise, particularly as the country develops its petroleum sector. The two universities here are working toward a 1+2 training model, which will enable Makerere students to gain practical experience and access advanced laboratory facilities at Xiangtan University.
Professor Nawangwe further reiterated that “our relationship with the people of China, not just for Makerere but also for a big part of Uganda, has been opened wider by the establishment of the Confucius Institute, considering that many other collaborations like one being discussed now have come through this collaboration.”
The head of the Xiangtan delegation, Professor Dingyu Ou, expressed appreciation for the meeting, and acknowledged the history between the institutions. “As mentioned, we have a very long relationship and a very stable friendship between our two universities.”
Professor Ou extended appreciation for the support provided to the Confucius Institute at Makerere, the care shown to his colleagues, and looked forward to the successful start of the Chemical Engineering collaboration.
Assuring the delegation of Makerere’s readiness for the collaboration, Ms. Hawa Ndagire Kajumba the Lead, Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement, Makerere University Advancement Office, aligned with the Vice Chancellor’s emphasis of University goal to have both theory and practice imparted to the students.
She said “the curriculum of the university and Uganda as a whole is moving towards competence-based education training to ensure students are equipped to demonstrate those skills in the actual field, particularly regarding petroleum exploration.”
Ms. Ndagire Kajumba also emphasised a shift in strategy for the partnership office, saying, “we are moving away from just signing MOUs that collect dust, and moving towards those that are more collaborative to benefit our faculty and students, just like this one.”
Professor Gilbert Kumushabe aligned his remarks with those of the Vice Chancellor and Ms. Ndagire Kajumba, and described the method used at Xiangtan University as “actually competence-based teaching.”
Based on his recent visit, Prof. Gumoshabe shared that students in China are divided into groups with dedicated teachers to perform practical, hands-on work beyond the theoretical lecturers. He expressed gladness that the same was being adopted for the Ugandan context.
Both institutions are now working to finalise the specific agreements for the joint degree and exchange programs. Beyond academic training, the collaboration will advance cultural and professional exchange.
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