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The Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, being received by the University and Student Leaders

Touring the various exhibition stalls, the Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Rebecca Kadaga commended the students of the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology for the innovations exhibited.

She observed that Uganda’s transformation would rely on cutting edge technologies such as those exhibited during the two-day event (Oct 18-19).

“A tour of the exhibition tents tells of a generation of students that is going to change Uganda. It is these innovations that the government wants to grow. Developed countries are where they are because of innovations in science and technology. We need to industrialize the economy and this is the role of you the young generation of scientists,” Hon. Kadaga said.

I strongly commend Makerere University and all other research led academic institutions for their great contribution to curbing unemployment levels by equipping the youth with knowledge and skills relevant to Uganda’s development.”

She said the country needs to industrialize and that the role of seeing this happen lies with young innovators.

“With all this growing technological innovation by Ugandan youth and the academia, the country’s unemployment rate is projected to drastically decrease in the nearby future.”

She pledged government’s continued support to science and technology innovation.

This followed a request by the students, through their leader Andrew Kiyonga, for government to set up an incubation centre in Makerere, one that would be used to commercialise the various innovations.

Hon. Kadaga pledged to ask Parliament’s committee on Science and Technology and the Committee on Education to visit the college and discuss with management the prospect of having an incubation centre at Makerere University.

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One of the students explaining his research project

She also invited CEDAT students to exhibit their innovations at Parliament.

The Speaker was received by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance & Administration), Dr Barnabas Nawangwe; the Ag. Principal CEDAT, Dr Henry Alinaitwe; Dean MTSIFA, Dr Venny Nakazibwe; Prof. Tickodri Togboa, Dr Dorothy Okello and student leaders.

Dr Nwangwe and the Principal reaffirmed the need for an incubation centre at Makerere, arguing that the students have got many innovative ideas which are never commercialised because of limited resources.

The Speaker called on industries to utilise the innovations from Makerere.

“Owing to the inviting economy and Uganda’s political stability, many foreign investors and entrepreneurs have been encouraged to set up various industries that depend on local research findings as these,” she said.

Some of the innovations on display included a machine that makes ‘milk’ out of soy beans, a water treatment machine, a maize shredding machine, a gasifier, architectural drawings, artistic drawings, wall hangings, bags, robots, artistic impressions of bridges among other things.

The Open Day was concluded with a fashion show where students from the Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Arts showcased their designs and catwalk.

For more pictures of the 3rd Annual CEDAT Open Day, please visit the CEDAT Gallery

 

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