UG: KNUST wins “Demo Day” competition

Radio Univers
Radio Univers
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Team of students from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, McHan Organics won this year’s “Demo Day” competition, an event which was aimed at encouraging and improving entrepreneurship.

The competition was held among university students on July 28, 2023, at the ISSER Conference Hall on the Legon campus. The winning team, McHan Organics presented a cost-effective approach of recycling waste coconut shells into soap for profit. They were given 40,000 cedis, as well as training, coaching, and six months of access to startup resources as prizes for their win.

The event, themed “Innovation for Africa’s Development 2023, Demo Day,” was spearheaded by the Office of Research, Innovation, and Development (ORID). Its aim was to unite the brightest minds from universities across the country to explore groundbreaking ideas that would foster Africa’s sustainable growth and development. The participating universities were the University of Ghana, Legon, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and the University of Cape Coast (UCC).

The program featured a competition between 15 teams of students who pitched innovative entrepreneurial ideas to promote entrepreneurial skills among university students. Representing Legon were MoveEasy, Shuttle Track, Eduvara, and Smart food & more. KNUST was represented by Ricelens, Wobil Technologies, Smart Farm, McHan, and Euodio. UCC was represented by Circular Creations, Popsi Cream and Crunch, Prifrimps Yam & Delivery, Cocoterrene, and Geia. The young entrepreneurs impressed the judges with their presentation skills and innovative ideas, surpassing expectations for their age group.

Mr. Eric Sarko, who delivered the final statement from the judges, commended the students, acknowledging their progress and growth. He reflected on his own university experience, admitting that the current students had achieved much more than he could have at their age.

” I think on hindsight, everything I presented was false, because I recall at some point one of the supervisors just had to offer help. And don’t forget that there was no projector back then. So, there’s actually a huge improvement from what we did 20 years ago to what you’re doing now. It means that we’re progressing. So, I acknowledge that I owe all of you a salute.”

At the competition’s conclusion, Eduvara secured the second runner-up position, earning 15 thousand cedis, and the same privileges as the winners. Smart Farm claimed the first runner-up position, receiving 30 thousand Ghana Cedis and similar privileges. The competition highlighted the importance of shifting the mindset of undergraduate students from seeking jobs to problem-solving and job creation. It underscored the significance of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship to drive Africa’s development forward.

Story by | John David Afeti | univers.ug.edu.gh

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