The Uganda Registration Services Bureau has launched a Technology and Innovation Support Centre (TISC) at Bishop Stuart University to strengthen research commercialisation and intellectual property protection in higher institutions of learning.
The centre, launched on Wednesday in Mbarara, becomes Uganda’s 41st Technology and Innovation Support Centre under a national programme implemented by URSB in partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organization.
Speaking during the launch, the Registrar General of URSB, Mercy Kainobwisho, said the centres are helping researchers and innovators turn ideas into commercially viable products.
“Technology and Innovation Support Centres are creating pathways for students, researchers and innovators to transform ideas into commercially viable solutions,” Kainobwisho said.
She said the initiative is part of government efforts to build a knowledge-based economy driven by innovation, creativity and research.
The launch comes as Bishop Stuart University gains recognition for sustainability-focused innovations and agribusiness research projects.
Among the innovations showcased is the BANATHERM project, developed in partnership with Scale-Up Research Centre Ltd, which converts banana stem waste into thermal insulation materials for vehicles and buildings.
The university is also producing environmentally friendly banana fibre products including paper bags, table mats and decorative materials as alternatives to polythene bags.
Other projects at the institution include mushroom farming and processing, fruit juice production, tomato ketchup manufacturing, dairy value-chain innovations and digital systems to improve student administration.
The Vice Chancellor of Bishop Stuart University, John F. Mugisha, said the centre would strengthen practical research and entrepreneurship among students and researchers.
“This TISC will provide our students and researchers with access to valuable intellectual property resources and innovation support systems that will help move research from classrooms and laboratories into communities and markets,” Mugisha said.
The launch was officiated by Francis K. Butagira, who said universities are increasingly becoming centres for innovation and economic transformation.
“The future of Africa will depend greatly on how well we support innovation, research and creativity among our young people,” Butagira said.
URSB officials said the expanding network of innovation support centres is expected to improve research commercialisation, strengthen Uganda’s innovation competitiveness and support industrial growth.