Machakos University Students’ Innovation Challenge

Third Call for Students’ Innovation Proposals, 2019/2020
THEME: RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY FOR INDUSTRIAL

GROWTH AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

1. INTRODUCTION
   Machakos University Student’s Innovation Challenge is an annual call that

seeks to offer student opportunities to make solid contributions towards socio-
economic growth and sustainable development. The challenge is an

opportunity for Machakos University students to strengthen their innovation
and entrepreneurial skills. Students are asked to submit proposal(s)
formulated in line to the theme as provided in the call. A panel then selects
finalists from all the received application, who are invited to pitch their ideas
to a select audience and thereafter make funding decisions.

1. SUB-THEMES
   a. Agriculture, food and nutrition security;
   b. Health, Sports and Tourism; (Hot topic: Cancer)
   c. Education and Ethical issues in research and product development.
   d. Housing, Transport, Energy and Industrialization;
   e. Environment, Natural resources and Climate change;
   f. Mathematics, Statistics & Data Science; Basic and Applied Sciences;
   g. Language, Culture, Social Equity and Governance;
   h. Business, Entrepreneurship and SMEs;
2. ABOUT THE THIRD CALL FOR STUDENT INNOVATION PROPOSALS
   Under the theme: Research, Innovation and Technology for Industrial Growth
   and Sustainable Development, students are invited to submit proposals for
   Innovation projects that are driven by societal challenges within the thematic
   scope of this call. The Call seeks to support Innovation proposals with strong
   potency towards catalyzing investment and innovation to create new economic
   opportunities as well as expanding the existing ones.

Applicants need to demonstrate their ability to exploit Research, Innovation and
Technological potential to support a robust Industrial Growth for sustainable
development. And also to give details in their proposal on how such innovation
will contribute to at least one of the Kenya’s Big Four Agenda.

1. OBJECTIVES OF THE CALL
   The objectives of this call are to:
   i. Promote students’ creativity and participation towards social
   and economic development
   ii. Generate tangible prototypes and proven services to increase
   the university competitiveness in innovation
   iii. Provide an opportunity for students to actualize and patent their
   innovations.
   iv. Contribute towards the realization of the national, regional and global
   agenda
2. PERIOD OF FUNDING
   Each proposal will be funded for a period of up to 1 year. Successful
   applicants are expected to adhere to their approved budget, work plan and
   expected project completion date.
3. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION
   A soft copy and three (3) copies of the proposals should be submitted to the
   Director, Research, Innovation and Technology, not later than 30th September,
4. Incomplete applications as well as applications submitted after the
   deadline will not be considered. Soft copies should be submitted through the

email address: director-research@mksu.ac.ke and copied to registrar-
ril@mksu.ac.ke

NOTE:
• Students are encouraged to collaborate and apply as pairs or small groups
from different disciplines. The lead innovator in this case should be
identified.
• The application forms are available at Machakos University website:
www.mksu.ac.ke students’ portal
• Each application must be signed by a supervisor and endorsed by the
Chairman of Department and School where principal innovator belongs.
• Each proposal will be supported with a maximum budget of KES.
100,000/=.

1. PROPOSAL FORMAT
   Applicants are required to fill the application form attached to this calls or
   download from students portal under www.mksu.ac.ke. The form should be filled
   in Times New Roman, font size 12. It must contain the following sections dully
   filled as outlined in the application form:- (i) Title of the project (ii) Principal
   Innovator (iii) Co-Innovator(s) (iii) Background information (iv) Summary
   Description of Innovation (v) Advantages and Unique Features of the Innovation
   (vi) Sale of the Innovation (vii) Innovation History (viii) Declaration
2. ELIGIBILITY
   This is a competitive innovation grant managed by Machakos University’s
   Division of Research, Innovation and Linkages (RIL) through the Directorate of
   Research, Innovation and Technology (DRIT). To be eligible:
   a) The applicant must be a bona fide student of Machakos University.
   b) The proposals must demonstrate:

i. Contribution towards new/improved quality product
ii. Contribution towards improved production processes
iii. Potential for patenting
iv. Positive impact to the society.
c) Students with on-going Machakos University funded innovation projects are
not eligible.
d) Applications must be received before/on the stated deadline at 5 pm.