Kigali, Rwanda, November 1, 2023: From 8 to 10 November 2023, the University of Rwanda and its African Centre of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development (ACEESD) are proud to announce the second Innovation Week by Grid Innovation and Incubation Hub (GIIH), in partnership with local and international partners. The week will take place during the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) in Rwanda themed ‘Entrepreneurs Thrive Here’ and hosted by JASIRI. The University of Rwanda is one of the key partners for the GEW. The event will gather innovation experts and stakeholders from Rwanda and the broader global entrepreneurship network. At least 250 delegates are expected to attend this event, which will take place at the Kigali Exhibition and Conference Village.

Under the theme ‘Scaling up university enabled innovation for a thriving Rwanda and Africa', participants ranging from academia, public/private sector, policymakers, to young innovators, will discuss opportunities and priorities in innovations that address challenges, have an impact and bring about change, and offer value to the national strategy for transformation vision 2050 in addition to the Sustainable Development Goals.

"At the University of Rwanda, we believe that transforming learning environments into places for student-led innovation and entrepreneurship and using living lab approaches in research and teaching will build capacity, address the skills gap and steer proposed solutions to catalyse a more sustainable and inclusive future for Africa,” says University of Rwanda’s Vice Chancellor Prof. Didas Kayihura Muganga.

The UR Innovation Week aims to achieve several objectives:

• Attracting stakeholders and actors committed to promoting innovation that is not only sustainable but also locally tailored. By fostering a collective understanding of innovation and research, we aim to drive positive change that addresses the unique challenges faced by our communities.

• Exhibiting student innovations, celebrating the GIIH progress to date, and marking the soft launch of the University Innovation Pod (UNIPOD). UR takes immense pride in its students’ remarkable contributions to the field of innovation. UNIPOD is a unique initiative that showcases the leadership roles being played by students in driving innovation, and is a testament to UR’s commitment to nurturing young innovators and providing them with a platform to thrive.

• Creating short-term and long-term priorities. Discussions will be facilitated to define short-term goals in terms of tangible outputs and impact. It will also set the stage for a long-term strategic vision, outlining the path to effective and impactful innovation at UR.

• Nurturing innovators and fostering complementarity. The event will provide opportunities to define the pivotal role of higher learning institutions in nurturing the next generation of innovators and ensuring complementarity between various actors. Our aim is to build a collaborative ecosystem that fuels innovation and growth.

UR invites all innovation enthusiasts, researchers, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders to join us in this incredible journey towards sustainable and inclusive innovation. The Innovation Week promises to be a hub of knowledge sharing, networking, and inspiration, where attendees will gain valuable insights and form meaningful connections.

Event details:

• Date: November 8th - 10th, 2023

• Venue: Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village (KCEV)

About the University of Rwanda

The University of Rwanda is a leading academic institution committed to fostering innovation, research, and education for sustainable development. With a focus on nurturing the next generation of leaders and innovators, the University plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of Rwanda and the African continent.

About Grid Innovation and Incubation Hub (GIIH)

GIIH was established in 2021 to provide incubation, acceleration, and commercialisation services to cutting-edge-, SDG- and societally relevant research ideas emanating from the staff and students at the Africa Centre of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development (ACE-ESD). The first GIIH innovation week was held in 2022 at UR and focused specifically on innovation in the energy sector, helping to catalyse a range of benefits through the hub. Some GIIH achievements worth mentioning are: 12 jobs created by the start-ups for mainly women and youth; 5 graduated start-ups with innovative business solutions in education, agriculture, clean energy and water; and 15 currently enrolled incubators with new business solutions in mining, construction and hydroponic farming.

About University Innovation Pod (UNIPOD)

UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) is partnering with the University of Rwanda College of Science and Technology to transform the Unipod into a hub of innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship. Our goal is to empower the next generation of Rwandan leaders with the skills, resources, and support the need to turn their ideas into scalable, impactful solutions. We recognise the critical importance of human capital development in driving economic growth and digital transformation. Through our partnership with the University of Rwanda, we aim to equip students with the digital skills and entrepreneurial mind-set they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world.

We are creating a makerspace and design lab within the Unipod, providing students with hands-on experience, access to technology, and opportunities for mentorship. We believe that this environment of collaboration and experimentation will spur innovation, drive economic growth, and create meaningful job opportunities for young Rwandans. By investing in the next generation of makers and entrepreneurs, we aim to create a community of 1,000 young leaders who are equipped to tackle the challenges of the digital age. Our goal is to support at least 25 businesses per cohort, with a focus on empowering female entrepreneurs, students with disabilities, and those from underserved communities.

For more information about the Innovation Week and Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), please contact us or visit our website:

http://giih.ur.ac.rw/innovationweek

innovationweek@ur.ac.rw

https://twitter.com/GEWRwanda