Makerere University's school of Public Health's ResilientAfrica Network (RAN) recently launched Technovation Challenge outreach in several secondary schools across the country.
Started on April 2, 2017, the engagement exercise had been scheduled for a week. According to Brian Ndyaguma, the lead innovation scaling expert at RAN, the exercise was largely targeted at supporting female students with science, innovation and technology skills.
The girls were taught how to conceive and develop the mobile applications relevant to their communities. They were also taught how to effectively present their solutions to the public, as a way of improving their participation in the national technovation challenge.
RAN’s Rebecca Koburungi led a team to western Uganda, where 234 students were engaged. These included Nyaka Vocational School in Kanungu, Rubaare SS in Ntungamo, Bishop Kivengere Girls School in Kabale, Kibubura Girls School in Ibanda, Bweranyangi Girls School in Bushenyi and Maryhill High School in Mbarara.
In eastern Uganda, Loyce Twongeirwe led a team to eastern Uganda, where 226 girls were engaged at Tororo Town Academy, Rock High School, Tororo Girls School, Busitema University, PMM Girls School (in Jinja), Jinja SS, St Noa Mawagali SS and Wanyange Girls School.
Ndyaguma led a team to northern Uganda, where 102 school girls were engaged at Ikwera Girls SS, Lira Town College, Mentor SS, Lira University, All Saints University, Otino Waa High School, Gulu High School, Gulu SS, Gulu College and Oysters and Pearls Secondary School in Gulu district.
In the central region, the outreach met girls at Gayaza High school, Nabisunsa Girls’ school, Makerere Modern SS, Trinity College Nabbingo, Mengo SS, May Christian College, Nkumba University, Royal Giant SS and Mityana SS.
Ndyaguma explained that the major challenges experienced during the outreach cut across all the four regions.
“These challenges included an inadequate number of computers for the hands on training in some of the schools, poor and in most cases no reliable internet connectivity, lack of self-esteem in the students which directly hinders their ability to pitch [their products],” he said.
In response many said they were happy with the development. A teacher at Bishop Kivengere Girls School was particularly typical in her message.
“With this guidance we have received during the pitching sessions and experience shared, we can now confidently compete nationally with the Kampala schools,” she said.