Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) has pledged to assist innovators to improve on their ideas to enhance the livelihoods of the community around the university.
The varsity’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) in charge of Planning, Administration and Finance Prof. Aggrey Thuo was speaking during an innovation week event hosted by the institution themed, ‘Transforming Climate Innovation Ecosystems through Inclusive Trans-disciplinary Projects’.
The event showcased transformative climate innovations and ideas from the University’s students and secondary schools from Siaya County.
Prof. Thuo said that he was impressed by the quality of the exhibitions showcased noting that when enhanced, the technologies would go a long way in mitigating the negative effects of climate change.
“JOOUST has invested a lot of premiums on research and innovation. We have built capacities for our research staff and provided a conducive environment; including facilitating our staff and students to come up with innovations and helping them write proposals and win grants. This has raised our research portfolio significantly,” he said.
He reiterated the university’s resolve to support communities through technology transfers in various food security enhancement programmes including the Climate Smart Fish Culture System under the Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project (KECAP) and nutrition based on the processing of cricket-based biscuits and entrepreneurship on Black Soldier fly value addition.
The DVC insisted that innovations must take the entrepreneurial angle for economic gains and that as a university they will help the innovators improve, package their ideas and patent them to transform livelihoods around the lake region.
“I assure innovators of the University’s commitment to support commercialization of their innovations. We are very keen on issues of patenting in line with intellectual property rights,” he said.
Prof. Thuo disclosed that the university is fully prepared for Junior Secondary School (JSS) students who are currently under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), by tailoring most of their research and innovation programmes to be CBC-oriented.
“Way before the CBC concept was mooted in the country, we had already started a section on technology transfer and innovations that are CBC-related. We have also started aligning the curriculum to conform by the end of this year. Even the teachers we are producing currently are CBC-compliant,” he noted.
He was flanked by the University’s Dean in the School of Informatics and Innovative Systems Prof. Solomon Ogara who disclosed that that they are also thinking of working closely with the Kenya Climate Innovation Centre (KCIC) to help in scaling up some of their students’ innovations through linkages with startups.
Key innovations on climate transformation exhibitions included an exhibition by Vincent Odero, a JOOUST IT student, with his project titled ‘Energizing the Human Waste’. This is a renewable energy source derived from pit latrines where the energy is converted into electricity fulfilling the energy needs of agricultural operations and reducing overreliance on fossil fuels.
Another key innovation from the institution included the Anti-drowsiness Control System for vehicles and industries to curb accidents.
In secondary schools, Ruma Mixed Secondary School in Rarieda sub-county showcased a Simple Water Heating System. St. Mary’s Yala High School had a Home-Made Incubator while Usenge High School presented a Flood Alarm System.
By Erick Nyayiera
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