Kampala International University (KIU) has rewarded three innovative science students and vowed to support their innovations for the benefit of the health sector.
The three were awarded during Research Dissemination and Innovation Conference (KRIC 2019) tagged, ‘Multi-Sectoral Collaboration towards the Prevention and Management of Non-Communicable Diseases’. The event which was held in her Western Campus in Ishaka-Bushenyi.
The overall winner was Higenyi Eria pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy who invented ‘The street diagnosis machine’ that calculates Body Mass Index (BMI), takes blood pressure, oxygen circulation and heart rate. The machine advises on the course of action after diagnosis according to what he called ‘The Higenyi Constant’. He walked away with a token prize of Shs 1,000,000.
Kamyuka Solomon and Kigozi David invented a mobile app dubbed ‘Glucoheart’ that estimates blood glucose levels. The duo were awarded Shs750, 000.
LuLe Patrick offering medicine and Kyeyune pursuing his bachelors in pharmacy the two invented ‘Med system’ an online based system software and mobile app that helps fight Non communicable diseases. They were awarded Shs 500,000.
The Executive Director/Dean KIU Teaching Hospital (KIUTH), Professor Robinson Ssebuufu remarked that KIU as institution has given a great platform for innovative students to bring their projects to lime-light, as such they will be rewarded accordingly.
“Students are Innovators. KIU has given them a platform and an enabling environment. Those who are coming up should be inspired. Their ideas matter and we are rewarding them.”
According to Prof George Nasinyama, the Director Higher Degrees and Research KIU, the conference provided for promotion of innovations by turning them into products that can benefit the community through the dissemination of research knowledge and presentation of various innovations.
“The conference was a big success. This was unique in a way that it was organized by the students and the staff. For such a rare collaboration it’s rare to get that kind of success. It shows that KIU puts its students at the center. Whatever we do, we involve our students.” Said Prof Nasinyama.
“Being the first of its kind, it was fantastic and well attended. We had the presence of the Ministry of ICT and Health and they’ve promised to support the University.” Said Dr. David Kalenzi, Director Post Graduate Studies and Research, KIU
The Kampala International University Research Dissemination and Innovation Conference (KRIC) is slated to become an annual event aimed at growing and strengthening a research and innovation culture among all students and staff at KIU Western Campus and other universities.
