The International University of East Africa (IUEA) is on course of becoming the World’s especially Africa’s leading technology University to solve the unending challenges whose solutions are only in innovations, DaParrot exclusively reports.
The partnerships with the like-minded organizations, attainment of the University Charter on January 28, and the installation of the new Chancellor one month later, are all signs of steady progress towards that direction.
“We want to be a solution based University, a University that will offer solutions to challenges affecting the universe like Climate Change among others,” Prof. Emeka Akaezuwa, the Vice Chancellor and Senate Chairperson of IUEA told DaParrot in an exclusive interview on February 15.
“IUEA offers exceptional services, including scholarship opportunities, cutting-edge innovation and engineering facilities, to mention but a few,” he added.
In 2010, the University opened doors to learners, 13 years later, the results can be felt.
“We have innovated in areas of Climate Change because we see the world is rapidly warming up, which has affected our farmers among others,” he added.
To prove its progress, IUEA in 2021 bagged Science and Innovation Award during Uganda Science and Innovators Award 2021 competition that was hosted by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation under the office of the President of Uganda.
The awards aimed at recognizing outstanding innovators and innovations, earmark innovations for scaling up and commercialization purposes, create visibility of Ugandan capabilities in technology development and innovation and inspire Ugandans especially youth into technology development and innovation.
The Award was won by; Edwin Agaba of IUEA, who invented the electric motorcycle, Innocent Oriikiiriza for Digital Ticketing System and Ahereza Ian &Nakiito Gloria Dorcus – Smart Remote Monitoring EV charging
President Museveni during his televised addresses repeatedly said that electric motorcycles and vehicles are the ultimate solutions for the increasing inflation on fuel.
In response to his plea, IUEA will in partnership with Clean Air Initiative Africa and with support from the United Nations, is start production of electric motorcycles.
“The motorcycles are expected to reduce gas emissions, which cause pollution,” Prof. Akaezuwa told DaParrot.
“We also launched an Innovation Hub in September 2022, to ease transformative plastic waste management and Job Creation through youth skilling in Uganda,” he said
The hub was launched under the framework of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA) PET Plastic Recycling Partnership.
Raising tuition is among the major challenge that hinders brilliant students to attain education making their brains just dull.
IUEA last week announced the IUEA Scholarship Fund that will help in bailing out these students.
Prof. Akaezuwa says the fund will benefit alot of students, he was the pioneer injector with $1000.
“I implore all of you to join in since we shall be providing education to people who would love to study but lack funds,” he told the congregation on Wednesday at IUEA Auditorium.
The University, he said has been helping some needy students though this fund, who have become meaningful people.
Getting the New Chancellor
Following the death of Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile, the former and first Chancellor, IUEA had spent a year without a Chancellor untill last week when they got one.
Former Kenyan Minister Prof. Dr. Amina Mohamed, was appointed and later in a colourful function installed as the new Chancellor.
Dr. Mohamed, a renowned Kenyan lawyer and diplomat, served as Cabinet Secretary (Minister) in charge of Sports, Heritage and Culture in the last Kenyan administration led by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Prof. Akaezuwa said Dr. Mohamed’s appointment marked a “seminal moment and a milestone” in the history of the institution.
“The entire IUEA communityis eager to welcome Dr. Mohammed and get zstarted on a new chapter of growth,” he said adding,
“We believe Amb. Dr. Mohammed will bring new leadership, fresh perspectives and a wealth of vast expertise to our institution. The IUEA community is in no doubt that the new Chancellor will be instrumental in guiding the institution towards even more outstanding achievements and enabling it to meet the curtent and future challenges of tertiary education,” said Prof. Akaezuwa
Chief Justice Owiny Dollo, the Chairperson of the University Board of Trustees reminded Dr. Muhamed that her coming places many expectations in their heads.
“We have high expectations in you and we hope you will bring with you all the innovation ideas which will take the University on another level,”
In her inaugural speech, Dr. Mohamed pledged to make IUEA thhee World’s most admired technology University.
“We are already in the middle of the fourth industrial revolution my goal is to make IUEA a leading technology University,” she said
Dr. Amina Mohamed addressing the congregation after being installed as the second Chancellor of IUEA on Wednesday
“We shall devise policies aimed at supporting the values of innovations our University will be technology centered and I pledge to work with the entire board to realise these goals,” she added.
