Uganda Technology and Innovation News - Page 3

keithbas · December 7th, 2012, 02:39 PM

Mak students get Shs125m million for computer application

Share

Bookmark

Print Rating
By Monitor Reporter

Makerere University students have received Shs125 million from Microsoft Corporation for developing computer software that detects early pregnancies.
Mr Aaron Tushabe, Mr Joshua Okello and Mr Josiah Kavuma, all students at the College of Computing and Information Sciences, early this year developed a computer application code-named Winsenga, which performs ultra-sound imaging on pregnant women and detects problems like ectopic pregnancies or abnormal fetal heart beats.

During the Social Innovation Summit held on Tuesday in Silicon Valley, USA, the trio received an innovation prize of $50,000 (Shs125 million) from Microsoft.

Ms Maria Muzaaki, the college’s communication officer, says the three students would also receive software, cloud computing services, solution provider support, premium Microsoft BizSpark account benefits and access to local resources such as Microsoft Innovation Centres in Africa.

According Ms Muzaaki, the innovation is an opportunity for young mothers to detect pregnancy complications in early stages, adding that it also helps mothers have the power to change their lives.

In September, the three students told the British Broadcasting Corporation their innovation was an enhancement to the Pinard horn, a device invented by a French doctor, Adolphe Pinard, who invented it back in the 19th Century to monitor the heart beat rate of a fetus during pregnancy. It can determine the age, position and heart beat rate of the fetus, along with an indication of its overall health.

Winsenga still consists of a plastic trumpet, but with a highly sensitive microphone inside. The souped-up device, which is placed on a woman's abdomen just like a regular horn, connects to a Windows-based phone. The system picks up the fetus heart beat rate, transmits it to the phone, which runs an analysis. The system which was developed in conjunction with medics for the UN agency Unicef then recommends a course of action, if any, for the mother and her unborn child.

editorial@ug.nationmedia.com

u.g boy · December 22nd, 2012, 01:36 AM

sseki2010 · December 22nd, 2012, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akwafinaa

I wish them luck. By the way I can help with Turbine engine design, we need real innovators on this continent

My brother, welcome

xJamaax · December 22nd, 2012, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akwafinaa

I wish them luck. By the way I can help with Turbine engine design, we need real innovators on this continent

True.

They also need to try working with their government to support some of these creative ideas.

Sideway · December 25th, 2012, 03:38 PM

Hey leave the guy alone. This is what Uganda needs to develop its high-tech industry. Sure he might not be successful today, but if he keeps on going and perhaps gets some international expertise, who knows in a decade or so this guy might actually be making real planes. This is how the best inventors started out, tinkling about in garages/backyards.

keithbas · December 31st, 2012, 11:10 AM

Uganda awarded for best lab practice in AfricaPublish

Dr. Jane Aceng handing over the award to Charles Kiyaga, an official from the Ministry of Health. Left is the head of Central Public Health Laboratory, Steven Aisu
newvision

By Violet Nabatanzi

Uganda has been recognised for having the best laboratory practice in Africa. This was during the first international scientific conference of the African Society of Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) in Cape Town, South Africa.

Three Ugandan laboratories were awarded.

Speaking during a press conference at the Ministry of Health, the director general of health services, Dr. Jane Aceng, said: “Of the 10 awards that were given in three different categories, Uganda received all the three awards in the category of Best Laboratory Practice,” Aceng said.

Uganda National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory took the overall winning award for ‘Best Laboratory Practice’ for its contribution in TB service delivery.

“The basis for this laboratory’s best practice was two-fold. First, the laboratory improved its quality management systems and biosafety practices, which led to its achievement of five-star rating in the World Health Organisation stepwise accreditation scheme.

Others were Early Infant Diagnosis by the Central Public Health Laboratories (CPHL) and the Infectious Disease Institute Laboratory by the Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Core Laboratory at the Infectious Diseases institute.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

December 7th, 2012, 02:39 PM	#41
keithbas Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 76 Likes (Received): 4	Mak students get Shs125m million for computer application Share Bookmark Print Rating By Monitor Reporter Makerere University students have received Shs125 million from Microsoft Corporation for developing computer software that detects early pregnancies. Mr Aaron Tushabe, Mr Joshua Okello and Mr Josiah Kavuma, all students at the College of Computing and Information Sciences, early this year developed a computer application code-named Winsenga, which performs ultra-sound imaging on pregnant women and detects problems like ectopic pregnancies or abnormal fetal heart beats. During the Social Innovation Summit held on Tuesday in Silicon Valley, USA, the trio received an innovation prize of $50,000 (Shs125 million) from Microsoft. Ms Maria Muzaaki, the college’s communication officer, says the three students would also receive software, cloud computing services, solution provider support, premium Microsoft BizSpark account benefits and access to local resources such as Microsoft Innovation Centres in Africa. According Ms Muzaaki, the innovation is an opportunity for young mothers to detect pregnancy complications in early stages, adding that it also helps mothers have the power to change their lives. In September, the three students told the British Broadcasting Corporation their innovation was an enhancement to the Pinard horn, a device invented by a French doctor, Adolphe Pinard, who invented it back in the 19th Century to monitor the heart beat rate of a fetus during pregnancy. It can determine the age, position and heart beat rate of the fetus, along with an indication of its overall health. Winsenga still consists of a plastic trumpet, but with a highly sensitive microphone inside. The souped-up device, which is placed on a woman's abdomen just like a regular horn, connects to a Windows-based phone. The system picks up the fetus heart beat rate, transmits it to the phone, which runs an analysis. The system which was developed in conjunction with medics for the UN agency Unicef then recommends a course of action, if any, for the mother and her unborn child. editorial@ug.nationmedia.com

December 22nd, 2012, 01:36 AM	#42
u.g boy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5,495 Likes (Received): 25

December 25th, 2012, 03:38 PM	#45
Sideway Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 590 Likes (Received): 97	Hey leave the guy alone. This is what Uganda needs to develop its high-tech industry. Sure he might not be successful today, but if he keeps on going and perhaps gets some international expertise, who knows in a decade or so this guy might actually be making real planes. This is how the best inventors started out, tinkling about in garages/backyards.

December 31st, 2012, 11:10 AM	#46
keithbas Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 76 Likes (Received): 4	Uganda awarded for best lab practice in AfricaPublish Dr. Jane Aceng handing over the award to Charles Kiyaga, an official from the Ministry of Health. Left is the head of Central Public Health Laboratory, Steven Aisu newvision By Violet Nabatanzi Uganda has been recognised for having the best laboratory practice in Africa. This was during the first international scientific conference of the African Society of Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) in Cape Town, South Africa. Three Ugandan laboratories were awarded. Speaking during a press conference at the Ministry of Health, the director general of health services, Dr. Jane Aceng, said: “Of the 10 awards that were given in three different categories, Uganda received all the three awards in the category of Best Laboratory Practice,” Aceng said. Uganda National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory took the overall winning award for ‘Best Laboratory Practice’ for its contribution in TB service delivery. “The basis for this laboratory’s best practice was two-fold. First, the laboratory improved its quality management systems and biosafety practices, which led to its achievement of five-star rating in the World Health Organisation stepwise accreditation scheme. Others were Early Infant Diagnosis by the Central Public Health Laboratories (CPHL) and the Infectious Disease Institute Laboratory by the Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Core Laboratory at the Infectious Diseases institute.