The Executive Director of the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI), Professor Charles Kwesiga, has urged engineering students involved in innovative technologies to foster sustainable development and help combat underemployment in the country.
He said that many students who finish school end up practicing into other trades they never studied for to make ends meet instead of developing their innovations done at the university, thus the resultant underemployment.
He made the remarks recently as one of the guest speakers at a one-day conference organized by the Faculty of Engineering at Kyambogo University under the theme “Sustainable Engineering: Unknowing the Potential of Engineers in Driving the Green Revolution Industry 4.0.”
The event was organized by Women in Engineering at Kyambogo University.
Prof. Kwesiga emphasized the need to combine human capital with technology to enhance both the quality of people and infrastructure.
“Think outside the box. Move away from the mindset of the older generation and address relevant issues by applying the knowledge you gain from school,” said Prof. Kwesiga.
He encouraged students to seek practical exposure through UIRI facilities in Namanve, which provide hands-on experience to complement academic training.
Meecy Kitimbo, a lecturer in the Department of Mining, Electrical and Petroleum Engineering and also a processing engineer, chaired the conference organizing committee.
She noted that the main objective was achieved as representatives from various manufacturing companies engaged with academicians and young innovators to discuss sustainable solutions for cleaner production and environmental protection in response to climate change.
Officials from companies such as Uganda Breweries, Quality Chemicals, TotalEnergies, SBL, and energy companies including UEDCL, UTCL, and UGCL presented their approaches to sustainable engineering practices.
“We are looking at sustainable methods like clean cooking and energy generation, waste management, and the treatment of industrial fumes before they are released into the air. This will help solve the problems our industries are facing,” Kitimbo explained.
She also urged students to take advantage of the existing Memorandum of Understanding between Kyambogo University and UIRI to advance their innovations.
“We want to move away from prototypes and research that end up shelved after publication. Our goal is to develop tangible products that can reach the market, enabling innovators to earn from their ideas while solving industrial challenges,” she emphasized.
Engineering students from Makerere University, Bugema University Business School (BUBS), Kampala International University (KIU), and Mbarara University of Science and Technology also attended the conference.
Former Kyambogo University students shared their professional experiences in various industries, inspiring the current students to apply their skills in practical, market-driven innovations.
