Students given chance to test creativity

Students given chance to test creativity.

Third and Fourth year students at Kenyatta and Strathmore universities stand to benefit from a programme that seeks to test their creativity.

In the Making More Health Venture4Change competition, participants are expected to develop innovative, scalable and sustainable ground-breaking solutions on how to improve sanitation and hygiene for children and youths aged between six to 25. The participants will also work with various experts and several partners from different sectors or businesses to discuss best practices in health and on improving hygiene for the younger population across the country.

Prior to the launch of the programme, about 25 students from Kenyatta and Strathmore universities participated in a series of workshops focused on social innovation and entrepreneurship.

The workshops integrated keynote speakers, social innovation advocates and practitioners. Participants worked in project teams and actively engaged in tackling group tasks and assignments that combine theory and practice.

The programme has been sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim, a pharmaceutical company, in collaboration with the two universities.

The finalists are supposed to start the concrete idea in the field (Mukuru slums) to test their prototype. Between October 15 and 31, they have to submit a report and a one-minute video to showcase process and proof of the impact of the innovation on the target group.

Sabine Emmerich, Boehringer Ingelheim global lead of MMH Venture4Change programmes said: “This is a unique initiative that paves the way for stronger collaboration and partnership with the local community."

At the end of the programme, the first three finalist teams will be given the opportunity to implement their ideas in slums or rural areas of Kenya in partnership with MMH partners.