By Kababiito Miriam
MUST-UCOBS PROJECT 5 under the theme increasing youth employability through skilling, innovation, experiential learning and technology transfer Climaxed its level one with an intensive 5-day training in Mbarara City, North Division. The bootcamp was officiated by the City Mayor- Mrs. Muganzi Prisca who urged the youth to be open minded and share out their visions so that they can be helped by the team of mentors.
Dr. Manasseh, the Team leader explained that the project's mission for the training was to have those youth with viable business ideas incubated in the MUST Business Incubation Centre, however, level 1 training focused on mindset change. He also announced that the project has got scholarships for master's and PhD levels and some youth could benefit from them.
Training Content during the Bootcamp
Experiential learning: The participants were divided into groups and each group was given UGX 50,000 to go to the field, try out a business of their choice and come back with profit. This was a mindset change activity as participants came back testifying with the lessons learnt from the field such as its possible to start small and make profits.
Design thinking: this helped them to identify a challenge in the community through research and finding a sustainable solution for it as an opportunity for business.
Lean canvas model: This taught participant to make a business plan of their whole business idea covering the problem statement, solution, unique value proposition, revenue streams, cost structure, partners among others.
Inspirational talks: Participants were able to listen and learn from the famous rich men around Mbarara city like Fredrick Kafuuko, owner of vision radio, vision empire, and big fun swimming pool. Another inspiration came from MUST's own Kijambo Fredrick Nsamba, the Dean of Faculty of Business and Management Sciences who shared about the life of an entrepreneur.
Final Day of Training
Seven groups were formed according to the different sectors in the economy and pitched their business ideas to showcase the bootcamp output.
The panel of judges included:
- Mrs. Nuriat Nambogo- Grants Manager CAM Tech (U)
- Mr. Silver Tumwesigye-Alumnus and entrepreneur
- Prof. Marten Thijs- Flemish Team leader
The teams had 15 minutes each for presentation and judges' comments.
The presentations went as follows.
- TEAM BB: A mobile application to track boda-bodas riders and their motorcycles to enhance their safety.
- TEAM IR: A single grid solar power station for at least 20 homesteads close to each other to check the cost of electric power installation.
- ELITE GROUP: A community financial savings and loans group to check the high interest for loans in banks and SACCOs.
- A-Z AGRICULTURE TEAM: they tackled the rampant spread of animal diseases among animal farmers with a solution of a mobile application with qualified extension workers and farmers for instant information access.
- TEAM JAVAC MADE: These aimed at solving the long lead time between patients and medical workers through a platform that connects medical service providers and people with private cars.
- THE GINEUS: They highlighted the education inequality due to transition to e-learning with a mobile computer laboratory to train all those people with computers, yet they are computer illiterate.
- THE LIGHTERS: They looked at the inadequate labor in hotels and restaurants with a solution of a platform that helps employers to get both casual and professional worker and also, workers being able to find jobs.
Dr. Manasseh applauded the groups and the team of mentors for working together to come up with such great ideas. Certificates of particitation were awarded to all participants and the bootcamp champions for the 50k challenge and the pitching walked away with exceptional prizes.