Engineering, Art & Tech
Mak donates the Touchless Handwashing Kits to Mulago National Referral Hospital and College of Health Sciences
Published
4 years agoon
Makerere University has donated three Touchless Handwashing (Tw-20) Kits to Mulago National Referral Hospital and another one to the College of Health Sciences (CHS). The donation was presided over by the university Vice-Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe at the University Main Hall during the media engagement and handover ceremony on 24th August, 2020.
The three kits donated to Mulago hospital were handed over to Dr. Christine Byanyima who represented the Hospital Director. She expressed appreciation for the identification of Mulago Hospital as a beneficiary and a long term partner.
“Mulago is a big institution with a lot of capacities. Mulago has treated over 6,000 patients of COVID 19 and has currently over 50 patients onward. Uganda is in Phase 3 of the pandemic with community infections and it is so distressing when patients come in. This donation will go a long way in the prevention and control of infections. Mulago will deploy it in areas of more traffic”, Dr. Byanyima said.
The kit for Makerere University College of Health Sciences was handed over to Dr. Waiswa Gonzaga. Dr. Waiswa was grateful to the research team and the university for considering the college among the first recipients of the donation.
He said this donation will boost the college capacity since it did not close because the Post Graduate students have been heavily engaged with activities of COVID 19, and at the same time, conducting teaching and learning.
“ We are right now undertaking examinations and this donation is timely to be stationed in one centre during face to face clinical examinations where handwashing is one of the key requirement. In our emergency unit at Casualty, social distancing is difficult, so handwashing technology will be of great importance”, Dr. Waiswa said
Makerere University recently invented the TW-20 Kit as a responsive technology to the COVID-19 Pandemic resulting from the need to limit contact with surfaces while ensuring diligent hand hygiene.
The university is implementing a project titled,” Development of a Green Low-Cost Touchless Handwash Technology ( TW-20 Kit) for public Shared Spaces”, funded by the Government of Uganda through the Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (Mak-RIF).
The project team is composed of Dr. Joshua Wanyama as the Principal Investigator (PI) from the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Dr. Robert T Ssekitoleko (Co-PI) from the Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Dr. Nakawuka Prossie (MakCAES), Mr. Oluuk Isaac from Badaye Technologies Ltd- a private firm owned by Makerere University Alumni and Mr. Julius Mugaga (MakCHS).
The media engagement and handover ceremony was witnessed by the project partners from the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems engineering, Makerere University Biomedical Engineering Unit, Makerere University Mak-RIF Secretariat, Badaye Technologies Ltd and the leadership of the two colleges-CAES and CHS.
Handing over the TW-20 kits, the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe expressed pride as a Vice Chancellor on grounds that he was seeing Makerere do what it is expected of it.
“I am proud because Makerere is becoming more and more relevant to Uganda’s population who are the owners of the university. I am proud because I see that finally our products -the graduates are becoming job creators and not jobseekers. I am also proud because you can finally see that there is collaboration between units within the university in research and innovation” The Vice Chancellor said.
Prof. Nawangwe noted that the science of dealing with viruses is one of the most advanced sciences because up to now none understands how they behave as they are studied and keep on changing.
The professor said COVID -19 has devastated the world more than anything else probably more that even the world wars because the whole world is affected at the same time without anybody firing any guns.
“Economies are devastated because of that tiny organism called the corona virus. So humanity must innovate in all ways if we are to survive and I am happy that Makerere University is taking the lead role in addressing the issue of COVID-19”, The VC said.
The Vice-Chancellor congratulated the research team saying they were given money slightly over a month ago and they already have the innovation.
“The other unique thing about this innovation is the level of ingenuity and home made in Uganda and at Makerere University, the beautiful black color, the IT in it, timing how long one is washing hands with a clear sound and message and data collection. If you are going to make more improvements at least for Makerere, put a camera so that I see who is washing and who is not washing”, the VC appreciated.
Prof. Nawangwe said Makerere has been at the fore front of fighting COVID-19 and has presented a number of innovations to the country to demonstrate the capacity of the university that has been there to drive Uganda’s economy to become a middle income country.
The Vice Chancellor applauded the Government Uganda, for the first time for giving Makerere University quite a big amount of money just for research and innovations saying, no university in Africa has got that kind of money just for research.
He also applauded the Government of Uganda for improving the welfare of the academic staff in all public universities noting that all these are aimed at universities giving back and improving the welfare of Ugandans.
He also expressed happiness about the alumni forming a company saying, one of the focus areas of the university strategic plan is to churn out as many companies as the university can from the research and innovations done to create jobs for the multitude of the young people roaming on streets.
Prof. Nawangwe also stressed that everything possible is being done to protect the university community from the Corona pandemic noting that almost 80% of the PhD staff stay on the hill.
The Vice Chancellor reported that one of the university staff had tweeted for having tested positive for COVID-19 and hence the university had restricted public and staff access into the university, banned face to face meeting, enforcing the Standard Operating Procedure and encouraging staff to work from home.
Prof. Nawangwe warned staff that the country may be headed for the worst.
“For three months we were seeing people dying all over the world and nobody had died in Uganda and now the number is increasing. We have closed all the gates so that all people accessing the university pass through the main gate so that they can be monitored.
We have banned all physical meetings, people must meet online. We are insisting that everybody must wear their mask properly not covering their mouth only and not wearing masks as necklaces. We are also emphasizing that people sanitize before they enter the buildings”. Nawangwe stated.
The Mak-RIF representative Dr. John Mutenyo described the recipient institutions as lucky and the innovation as timely and relevant given the current situation of COVID -19 pandemic.
“More importantly, this is a product and an innovation from Makerere University and it is made in Uganda by Ugandans”. Said Dr. Mutenyo.
Dr. Mutenyo thanked the Government of Uganda for the continued good and fruit yielding working relationship with Makerere University.
He said it is fulfilling that the government chose to support research at Makerere University and its partners- other universities, private sector and others
“In the past Financial Year 2019/2020 Makerere University received shs. 30 bn for research and innovation. In the second financial year 2020/2021, the university has so far received shs 15 bn towards the same cause and has pledged continued support to the university.
It is through such generosity and support from government that the university has come out with approaches to curb the spread of the COVID 19 pandemic. Through government support the university is able to conduct research translating into findings and approaches contributing to Uganda’s development and the subsequent high ranking in research”, Dr. Mutenyo said.
The Principal Investigator, Dr. Joshua Wanyama said when the first COVID -19 case in Uganda was announced in March 2020, Badaye (a private firm owned by Mak Alumni) embarked on developing and testing the first prototype of the TW-20 Kit to automate handwashing.
He explained that TW as an acronym signifies the,” Touchless Wash” while,”20” signifies the 20 seconds which are minimally recommended by WHO to effectively hand wash with soap.
He said that after the development of the first prototype, the Kit was trialed in the Kasubi-Kawaala suburb and Kawaala Health Centre IV for a month to obtain field based preliminary results for proof-of-concept and feedback from users.
Dr. Wanyama reported that the results were convincing and based on the results, there was need to improve the design of the Kit and thus Badaye partnered with Makerere University to move the project further.
“With support from Mak-RIF, the design has been improved and 15 Kits fabricated and installed at different publicly shared spaces in Kampala Metropolitan Area. The results are exciting; we have recorded over 65000 handwashers as of 23rd August 2020 from the Kits installed in just one week of Installation”, Dr. Wanyama stated.
The 15 beneficiaries of TW-20 Kits include:- Makerere University, Makerere University Hospital, Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kawempe National Referral Hospital, Luweero town Market and Kiruddu National Referral Hospital. Others are Kalerwe Market, Kawaala Health Centre IV, Nansana- Masitoowa market, Entebbe Grade B Hospital, Nakasero Market, Nakawa Market, Mbuya market and Mukono Health Centre IV.
“With the current progress on hand washing hygiene adherence, we have reported a need to increase the number of kits installed and also scale out to different points and this is where we need a hand from different developmental partners and Mak-RIF to expand our collective impact in the COVID 19 fight”, The PI Dr. Joshua Wanyama submitted.
Julius Mugaga working with Badaye Technologies Ltd is an Alumni of Makerere University who did his Bachelors in Bio medical engineering and currently an MSc student in Bio informatics and junior staff at Makerere University.
He said Badaye Technologies Ltd is composed of a young team of young minds motivated to address community challenges but because they are young, they thought of partnering with big institutions like Makerere University.
He was appreciative that the Makerere research team trusted and mentored them to come up with TW-20 Technology.
“The technology can be summarized in three terms- the touchless handwashing kit is “Smart, Responsive and Revolutionalised kit ”, first with the hardware bit of it which does the handwashing and then, the cloud that stores the data of the hand wash of every record of water and soap consumption and any technical troubleshooting of the device”, Mugaga stated.
Mugaga said the major component of the Kit is the spout where water and soap come from but the system is built with solar, a battery, and can also be plugged in electricity.
The kit is touchless and pedal-less with audio guided user interaction during handwashing in customized languages with English as a default language.
This system dispenses soap, gives you time of about 10 seconds to rub before it can give you rinsing water.
Other unique features of the TW-20 Kit are:
Remote monitoring, digital communication and daily use data transmission via TW-20 view, handwashing with soap as per the recommended WHO guidelines, frugal with good soap and water use metrics.
The TW-20 Kit is also a Green technology that uses solar, battery with AC –Mains as back up, it’s a low-cost technology, appropriate for pubic shared places like markets, hospitals, schools, restaurants etc and proudly made in Uganda by Ugandans.
As of now, one kit costs UG Shs.1.6million but with big orders the cost may reduce up UG Shs. eight hundred thousand.
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Engineering, Art & Tech
Makerere University Innovation Pod Launches Electric Mobility Skilling Programme
Published
2 months agoon
October 25, 2024On 22nd October 2024, Makerere University Innovation Pod, in partnership with Kiira Motors Corporation, and the United Nations Development Programme in Uganda, launched a skilling program designed to equip students with expertise in electric mobility and related technologies for industrial application.
The launch team consisted of the Executive Chairman of Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) Prof. Tickodri-Togboa, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative Ms. Nwanne Vwede-Obahor, and Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi (Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs) who represented the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga, Chairperson of the Steering Committee of the Makerere University Innovation Pod (Mak-UniPod) and Dr. Peter Turyakira, the Acting Manager of Makerere University Innovation Pod (Mak-UniPod).
This strategic direction of building the required pool of young people to drive Uganda’s electric mobility such as production of electric cars targets Makerere University students who are not only excelling in the academics, but also interested in innovation and development.
“When I heard about this project, I thought about this innovation. I realized it comes with so many opportunities starting from employing many people, but also helping in the world agenda in transiting to green energy. When the call was shared, I thought I could grab this opportunity and also contribute to the sector that is seemingly a virgin one,” remarked Twinomujuni Mutunji, a student selected from the Bachelor of Electrical Engineering program.
The first cohort consists of a total of 25 students selected from Electrical, Biomedical, Software, Mechanical, Computer Engineering, and Bachelor of Science in Physics courses. Of the selected students, 12 are female and 13 are male. They were selected in a competitive process where only those with grades in the first and second upper classes were subjected to interviews and the top 25 were subsequently enrolled.
The program’s main objectives include providing participants with foundational knowledge in electric vehicle technology, renewable energy systems, battery cell technology, smart grid systems, and electric vehicle powertrains. It also emphasizes the development of practical skills through hands-on training and project-based learning, enabling students to apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios.
Additional goals of the initiative include promoting innovation and problem-solving by encouraging participants to explore solutions to challenges in clean energy technologies. It also seeks to prepare students for careers in the electric vehicle industry and its related sectors.
During the launch, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi emphasized Makerere University’s pioneering role in innovation, stating that the electric mobility skilling programme represents a significant step in Uganda’s transition to green energy.
“As Makerere, we always pride ourselves on trailblazing. The electric vehicle journey and sector in this country started with the KiiraEv produced by staff and students from our College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology. The skills and knowledge led to the formation of the Kiira Motors Corporation. Through the launch of electric mobility skilling programme, Makerere University is committing itself to championing electric mobility and the green revolution,” said Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi.
Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi asserted that with this cohort taught and skilled in the field of electrical vehicles, they will be able to contribute to the transition from fossil fuel to green energy and also reduce pollution that is caused by traditional means of transport.
This country in terms of transport, we are very familiar with the two wheelers (a n influx of boda bodas) and these are the major polluters, how do we overcome this, it is the initiative that we are launching today. We really believe that through this mega start, by training experts in the field, we should able to transition to green energy and also reduce on our pollution rates,” Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi said.
Speaking on behalf of Mak-UniPod, Dr. Peter K. Turyakira said that the skilling program is timely because it comes at a time when the country is embracing the global shift toward electric mobility. “Uganda is embracing the global shift toward electric mobility. This program is intended to give young people the opportunity to develop skills, drive innovation in e-mobility, and influence the economic development of the country,” remarked Dr. Turyakira.
On her part, UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Nwanne Vwede-Obahor, hailed the program as a solution to youth unemployment and a creator of green jobs in Uganda.
“Through this skilling programme, Makerere University and Kiira Motors Corporation are going to find solutions to the youth unemployment question and create green jobs in Uganda.”
She urged the students in the first cohort to make the most of this opportunity to contribute to the global green energy agenda and to shape their own futures.
“To the E-Mobility Skilling Program students, this is a great opportunity for you. I hope you understand that you are creating for yourself an opportunity, not open to others. You are part of a nascent group. You are part of history. You are the first cohort. The opportunities are beyond Uganda and Africa. There are many opportunities in the world. I am very glad to see the number of young ladies who are part of this first cohort,” she said.
Adding that; “I appeal to you today, take this opportunity and run with it, give it all you can. Immerse yourself into it and focus. I will create time to return, and have a special session with the ladies who are part of this cohort. I want to be sure that you have mentorship,” she stated.
Ms. Vwede-Obahor also explained that UNDP decided to fund the project as it aligns with Uganda’s development plans, especially its commitment to transitioning from fossil fuel-powered vehicles to electric ones.
“Why e-mobility? This is born out of the fact that we in the UN always support the national development aspirations of the countries where we serve,” she pointed out.
“In this regard, we noted that Uganda has recently taken initiatives to support the importation of electric vehicles into the country. We have taken note of the zero-emissions that Uganda wants to attain by 2063 which protect the environment,” she said.
The UNDP Resident Representative thanked Makerere University for the vision, and appealed to the private sector in Uganda to come to the Makerere University Innovation Pod (Mak-UniPod) to support the student innovators.
Recognizing Makerere University as the cradle of E-Mobility in Uganda, Prof. Tockodri-Togboa acknowledged the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe for being a very instrumental figure in this milestone and always providing guidance in this journey.
Prof. Tickodri-Togboa, the Chairman Board of Directors, Kiira Motors Corporation, said that he is grateful that this program has started and he believes, that it will significantly contribute to the transformation of the transport sector, address climate change concerns and save the environment from pollution.
“We are grateful for this opportunity to drive change. To the pioneering scholars on this program, today you have taken action and I believe the resulting progress will transform you and the lives of many as we build towards the future,” said Prof. Tickodri Togboa.
In the same spirit, he commended UNDP for supporting Makerere University innovators through the Makerere University Innovation Pod.
Engineer Fred Matovu of Kiira Motors Corporation outlined the program’s structure, detailing the seven modules that students will complete over the course of the year. These modules will range from introductory topics on electric vehicles to discussions of future trends in electric mobility. Matovu explained that each module will be followed by assessments, and at the end of the program, every student will be required to complete a capstone project to showcase their knowledge and skills. The program will consist of both theoretical and practical sessions, starting with an introduction to the fundamentals of electric vehicles.
“As part of the program arrangement, we shall have theoretical classes where we shall give foundation knowledge and later we shall have practical sessions where the students shall be allowed to try what they have learned, so we shall take these students to spaces to get a hands-on experience on the usage of some of the technologies,” he said.
“The modules will start with an introduction to electrical vehicles, before going into the theoretical concepts, among others,” Matovu added.
Eng. Matovu explained that throughout the program, they will have sessions where they link students to mentors from their respective faculties in their primary programs at the University.
He further explained that they will do that in order to make sure that these students as they are getting electrical vehicle skills, they do not neglect their core academic programs. In this, they will also be having the mentors’ general report to confirm their performance in the respective academic programs at Makerere University.
Mr. Twinomujuni Mutunji, a student selected from the Bachelor of Electrical Engineering program, and who is part of the inaugural cohort of the E-Mobility Skilling Program, informed Mak Public Relations News team that he had always hoped to make an impact in the transition to green energy, which he views as a promising and untapped field.
Mr. Twinomujuni’s view fits in so well with the vast opportunities awaiting students who will remain focused and excel during this one-year E-Mobility skilling programme.
According to Engineer Fred Matovu, in addition to field tours, extensive capacity building, and a capstone project where each student will demonstrate what he or she has been doing, the successful students will feed into research and development, the E-Mobility industry, and the Kiira Motors Corporation Internship Programs.
Engineering, Art & Tech
Mak Receives Portable Light Testing Equipment from EACREEE
Published
4 months agoon
August 16, 2024Makerere University on 14th August 2024 received portable lighting test equipment from the East African Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Efficiency (EACREEE), the execution partner of the Energy Efficient Lighting and Appliances (EELA) project in East and Southern Africa. The equipment was received on behalf of Makerere by the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi from the Executive Director EACREEE, Canon Goddy Muhanguzi Muhumuza. On hand to witness the handover were the University Secretary, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, Principal, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Prof. Moses Musinguzi, the Dean School of Engineering, Prof. Dorothy Okello and EACREEE/EELA officials.
The equipment which will be under the custody of CEDAT will according to the ED EACREEE allow for “screening of lighting products on the market in terms of their compliance with the country’s national regulatory framework as well as with the regional minimum energy performance standards developed in the EELA project.
“One of the objectives of the EELA project is to strengthen the capacity of national and regional institutions, testing centres and stakeholder groups in the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regions in order to drive a market transformation towards efficient and high-quality lighting and appliances” added Canon Muhumuza.
The EELA project which will bring regional support to private sector-led activities is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in collaboration with the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE) and EACREEE.
In his acceptance remarks, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi thanked Sida for funding the EELA project as well as the implementing partners UNIDO, SACREEE and EACREEE for enabling the project gain traction. He equally thanked the ED EACREEE Canon Muhumuza for ensuring that his Alma Mater Makerere University remains on the cutting edge of working with partners to monitor the standard of energy efficient lighting and appliances both domestically and regionally.
Notable among the projects being undertaken by EACREEE especially in the wake of mitigating the effects of climate change are the Energy Access and Green Transition Collaboratively Demonstrated in Urban and Rural Areas in Africa (ENERGICA) project funded the European Union with UNIDO, EAC, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and SADC as partners. To-date, ENERGICA has installed four (4) charging station demo sites and acquired over 200 electric motorbikes in Kenya.
EACREEE has also conducted; fourteen (14) trainings on SMART grids for 400 participants, three (3) trainings for small hydropower plants for 53 participants, as well as 4 trainings on solar PV for 175 technicians, students, operators, entrepreneurs and energy professionals in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Canon Muhumuza concluded by sharing that EACREEE sees great potential of value addition to Makerere University in the form of internship positions for graduate students, mentorship and career talks for students, developing demonstration sites, jointly organizing events and contributing to topics of mutual interest.
Engineering, Art & Tech
Mr. Kaconco James successfully defended his PhD thesis
Published
4 months agoon
August 15, 2024Mr. Kaconco James successfully defended his PhD thesis at a public defense session held at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT).
His thesis was titled; Master Production Scheduling, Total Quality Management and Blood Production Towards Blood Transfusion Sustainability in Uganda.
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the relationship between master production scheduling, total quality management, blood production, and transfusion sustainability in Ugandan blood banks. It aimed to address the challenges of blood safety and shortages in healthcare, leading to canceled or postponed transfusions and patient fatalities.
The study used was correlational and cross-sectional in nature with a pragmatic paradigm and a mixed-method strategy. It surveyed seven regional and seven university teaching hospital blood banks, using random and purposive sampling. Data came from self-administered questionnaires and interviews with key informants. Data analysis used SPSS20 and AMOS23 to determine relationships among variables. Qualitative data was analyzed using Nvivo software. Pilot tests ensured questionnaire and interview guide validity and reliability.
Findings showed a significant model for the relationship between master production scheduling and blood transfusion sustainability. Demand and supply significantly related to transfusion sustainability, while perishability had a positive but not significant relationship. Surprisingly, total quality management did not mediate the master production scheduling-blood transfusion sustainability link; instead, blood production fully mediated it. When considering both total quality management and blood production as serial mediators, both played a partial mediating role. Qualitative findings aligned with these results, highlighting various strategies used by Ugandan blood banks to enhance sustainability.
This study has managerial implications, emphasizing the importance of factors such as blood demand, staff involvement, continuous improvement, customer-centric approaches, and efficient bloodstock management in enhancing transfusion sustainability. Recommendations for policymakers include establishing a fund to support blood banks for knowledge dissemination and capacity development. They should also enhance annual evaluation, recognition, and awards for blood donors, individuals, and partners dedicated to transfusion sustainability. Establishing a dedicated unit under UBTS for compliance monitoring is recommended. Blood bank managers should invest in staff training, seek expert consultation on transfusion sustainability, and recognize and reward employees and teams demonstrating a strong commitment to transfusion sustainability.
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