Gulu University VC roots for Directorate of Entrepreneurship to support innovation
“Having a directorate of entrepreneurship will help us in revenue sharing with students and, in turn, will help to sell the products”, said Openjuru on Friday during a visit by Jonard Asiimwe, the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat at Gulu University, to monitor science innovations.
At the same meeting, Theresia Mary Obbo, the chairperson of the Gulu University Council, said Gulu University is translating research into technology, products and enterprises that contribute to national development. (Credit: Jackson Kitara)
GULU - The Gulu University Vice-Chancellor, Professor George Ladah Openjuru, has asked government to assist enterprising students in acquiring certification for their products.
He proposed the establishment of a directorate of entrepreneurship to lead, coordinate, and support programmes that foster business creation, innovation and skills development within the university.
“Having a directorate of entrepreneurship will help us in revenue sharing with students and, in turn, will help to sell the products”, said Openjuru on Friday during a visit by Jonard Asiimwe, the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat at Gulu University, to monitor science innovations.
The VC also revealed that the institution is stuck with good products which need certification for effective marketing.
Openjuru reported that the university also lacks a business incubation Centre and is selling its products locally or within the university without taking them to markets, which is killing students' innovation to earn a living from it.
Jonard Asiimwe, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Secretariat under the Office of the President, speaking during his visit to Gulu University. (Credit: Jackson Kitara)
At the same meeting, Theresia Mary Obbo, the chairperson of the Gulu University Council, said Gulu University is translating research into technology, products and enterprises that contribute to national development.
Lamenting that financing research and innovation is a challenge, she revealed that in the financial year 2026/27, the university council approved a meagre budget of sh800m for research and innovation.
Pledging financial support for research and innovation projects, Minister Asiimwe asked the university to get a policy that supports both science and the university so that it helps with revenue sharing, as the university uses a lot of money and time to help students come up with their innovations.
Asiimwe asked lecturers to start looking at strategic research that helps students translate science into products.
He also tipped students on specialisation, citing billionaire Elon Musk, who specialises in space.
“University should undertake research which is meaningful and translate it into practical solutions that bring money and development to the community,” Asiimwe remarked.