images

The Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) show is the leading agricultural and trade exhibition in the country providing a platform for innovators to showcase their findings that would enhance food security and economic growth. Being a key stakeholder, Technical University of Mombasa capitalizes on such great opportunities to launch its research projects.

This year’s long-awaited Mombasa ASK show is the first show after Covid era, attracting all classes of innovations. The break two - year break gave TUM students time to re-evaluate their research angle from software – based to tangible digitalized innovation. These efforts not only made them come up with better prototypes but made the institution scoop the best university stand award five times in a row.

During the function, the Registrar - Partnership research and Innovation (PRI) called upon donors and other accelerators to support the young innovators to take the ideas to the next level of start -ups and finally to full commercialization.

In support of the presidential appointed task force to evaluate Competence Based Curriculum (CBC), and acknowledgement of the need for reforms on the CBC Mr. Kelvin Mutunga and Mr. Eugen Omondi – TUM Engineering students and exhibitors came up with an interactive learning aid chart which is simple to operate and cheap to acquire.

The chart learning aid operates in such a way that when someone points at it, it automatically gives information about the pointed area through blinking the LED lights. Apart from the chart being so interesting and interactive for the young learners, it can also be used in teaching students with hearing impairment.

 

Innovation

Some of the exhibited innovations were the 3D printer, VetCare – an app that enables one to access vet services via USSD; Agro feedback system – a website specifically for farmers to give feedback to farm equipment providers; Management and Control based on IOT – this helps to remotely and virtually turn on and off electrical systems; Student Management System (SMS) – A system where principal or school head can add parents, teachers and students to access information and keep track of their progress virtually; Automated Hydro-ponic system – A system which regulates irrigation systems for vertical gardens. Where water pumps can sense when plants need water for it to irrigate up to a level where plants have acquired enough water. This project addresses the issues of water wastage and enhances food security in urban areas. Improvised incinerator – A waste management system which through recycling plastics, burns waste and absorb carbon emission; Power box – a project that supplement rural electrification where the portable box produces more power than normal power bank; Automatic transport system – It’s a transport robot that be used to ferry farm inputs and produce from one point to another without a human driver; Solar powered drainage system cleaner – Helps to in unblocking sewerage systems;  Phototherapy unit with a baby soother – this unit can be used in pediatric ward to help babies that are put under phototherapy to enjoy the session buy swinging the baby during the session; Mji wa Kale Cultural center and Community center are two architectural design that preserve the Swahili historical architectural designs; Sparki Proposal Master Plan – It’s a proposal master plan that addresses housing issues in order to have lucrative urban design that aids economic growth of Mombasa; The online boutique website that incorporates a blogging section where clients are updated on the new fashion trends.

Partnerships.

The element of collaboration was evident in this year’s show as artists affiliated to TUM under the Transcultural Perspective in Art and Art Education (TPAAE) project, showcased their works and performances. TPAAE is a research project sponsored by European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 872718. Along with TUM, the project consortium includes the Academy of Art in Szczecin (Poland – coordinator), Univesita di Macerata (Italy), the National Museum in Szczecin (Poland), Pwani University (Kenya) and Kenyatta University (Kenya).

 



Tags: TUM

images
ANANDA DOUGLAS

...