On November 7th, 2024, 4th-year Mechanical Engineering students from Makerere University visited Kyampisi Living Labs in Luwero District as part of their hands-on learning experience. The visit to this innovative research and development site provided students with valuable exposure to real-world applications of various renewable energy technologies and their impact on local communities. Kyampisi Living Labs operates as a life-scale mini-grid, and it serves as a vital platform for both student research and community development.
Kyampisi Living Labs exemplifies the concept of “research with impact” where academic research directly contributes to improving the lives of local residents. The lab is part of the sustainable energies, entrepreneurship, and development (SEED) community initiative, which focuses on developing sustainable energy solutions that address pressing issues such as energy access, resource utilization, and environmental sustainability. At the site, students had the opportunity to observe and engage with a range of technologies that are improving the livelihoods of the surrounding communities. Among the key areas of research and activity were energy systems, remote monitoring unit, and productive use of renewable energy strategies.
The students explored various activities underway at the site, including the production of briquettes for sustainable energy use, water pumping systems powered by solar energy, and biogas production for clean cooking and energy generation. Each of these projects demonstrates the potential of renewable energy to tackle local challenges such as lack of access to clean and reliable energy, environmental degradation, and the need for sustainable livelihoods.
For the students, the field visit was not just a chance to observe innovative technologies, but also an opportunity to engage in meaningful research that connects engineering with social development. The students gained hands-on experience and insights into how engineering solutions can be applied to create tangible benefits for communities that improves their livelihood.
The visit to Kyampisi Living Labs reinforced Makerere University’s commitment to producing engineers who are not only technically proficient but also socially responsible. By supporting research and development projects that have a direct impact on communities, the university is helping to foster a new generation of engineers who are equipped to address the global challenges of sustainable energy, climate change, and social equity.
By Denise Kazooba