Students scoop prizes in technology competition

EDUCATION

Giraal Africa and Teheca groups, each consisting of four to five students were last week announced as winners of a technology competition at Makerere University Business School(MUBS).

"It feels so great to be among the winners of this competition. It is like a dream come true," says Regina Nakawuki, founder of Giraal Africa.

She made the remarks after her group winning funds, mentorship and technical expertise from MasterCard through incubation in the Entrepreneurship and innovation hub for their built applications in the Innovation Express competition.

The three day competition at the Annex building at Bugolobi attracted about 55 participants, in 10 groups from Teheca groups.

Among them were students who were currently studying at the institutions and others who recently graduated.

One of the group that won

 
According to Remmy Kirunda, the focal person of the MUBS Entrepreneurship incubator and innovation hub, the competition mostly emphasized on unique technology-based business ideas.

The competition was organized by MUBS in partnership with MasterCard labs Nairobi this month.

Daniel Ruyonga the team leader of Teheca group says winning this competition means a lot to them as a group. "It is an opportunity to bring ideas to life," he said.

A mentor speaks to the participants

 
The competition helps the participating students formulate business models, analyze market challenges as well as develop and sample user experience with integration of technology in a period of two days.

Kirunda says it is another way of helping students and alumni to use their entrepreneurial skills, to fight the high levels poverty and unemployment among the youth.

Participants were advised to work in groups so as to encourage team work and sharing of ideas for greater results.

Teheca one of the groups that won, developed an application that aimed at creating access to compassionate, caring and qualified patient care system through mobile platform.

Participants watching the presentation

 
While their counterparts, Giraal came up with an electronic retailer application for African clothing and accessories.

"In the interest of protecting these raw ideas, detailed information was not let out to the public," says Nakawuki.

The two groups noted that they have been working and building their now winning business plans since last year and are hoping for a brighter future for their plans.

Teheca and Giraal directly qualified to enter the incubation hub. However, Kirunda encouraged the other participants not to lose hope.