A group picture of all the finalists with their awards and souvenirs
The grand finale of the maiden edition of the Student Innovation Challenge (STIC) has been organized by the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) on October 18, 2018 at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) Conference Room as part of activities marking the University’s 70th anniversary celebrations. The challenge, a novelty by the IAST, aims to bring out the innovative and creative abilities in students and to encourage the application of acquired knowledge, skills and abilities to solve problems pertaining to industries.
The grand finale was preceded by a host of activities which commenced in April, 2018 including calls for application, soliciting sponsorship, constituting a 7-member selection panel drawn from both industry and academia, shortlisting of applicants and search for mentors. A total of fifteen (15) undergraduate and graduate students applied for the contest out of which three (3) teams and two (2) individuals were shortlisted for the grand finale.
Professor Boateng Onwona-Agyeman, Dean of the School of Engineering Sciences who chaired the much-anticipated finale on behalf of the Provost of College of Basic and Applied Sciences expressed delight that students of the University had come up with such innovative ideas and devices to solve industry problems and indicated that it was a positive step in the development of entrepreneurial skills in students.
Contestants for the Finale
The DroneFarmzGH, a group made up of 3 members; Ernestina Asiamah Agyei, Patience Nayo (both of Agricultural Extension Department) and Joseph Antwi-Bosiako (Business School) used an application to access drones to provide service to farmers in the area of soil field analysis and irrigation and spraying of various agro-chemicals. Farmers will be able to access the application through phones. The group was mentored by Dr. Kofi Henaku, CEO of Henson Geodata Technologies Limited Ghana.
DroneFarmzGH
Paint’n Africa Group made up of Sedem Quame (Department of Computer Engineering) and Theophilus Dorh (Department of Biomedical Engineering), presented an application to promote local arts and crafts through an e-commerce web application which facilitates buying and selling in Ghana and oversea. Their goal is to connect artists to prospective buyers and lovers of art work. This group was also mentored by Dr. Kofi Henaku.
Paint’n Africa
Mr. Stephen Ofosu Asomani, a final year Chemistry student mentored by Dr. Percy Okae from the Department of Computer Engineering, presented an innovative means of preventing fire outbreaks caused by electrical malfunctioning with a wireless control device. He indicated that rampant fire outbreaks had become a menace in our society leading to loss of lives and properties hence the motivation to design this system. Mr. Asomani displayed a prototype of his work which trilled the audience.
Mr. Asomani demonstrating the operations of the device during his presentation
Mr. Ifeanyi Joshua Uzochukwu, a level 300 Biochemistry student proposed methanogenic archaea that can act as a non-depleting source of energy which is cost ineffective due to the use of waste as raw materials to produce renewable energy. He was mentored by Dr. Teddy Annang, Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies.
Mr. Ifeanyi Joshua Uzochukwu
The Pathfinders, Emmanuel Osei and Margaret Needham, final-year Occupational Therapy students presented a Manipulation and Colouring Guide Box. They identified that children with special needs such as cerebral palsy, autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder found it challenging to track their hand movement with their eyes hence they designed a guide box which would use coloring and manipulations to improve the hand function in these children. The group was mentored by Mr. Peter O. Ndaa, Lecturer and Senior Occupational Therapist.
The Acting Dean of Students Affairs, Prof. Godfred A. Bokpin, in his remarks noted that the world awaits the birth of the 4th era, driven by advances in technology as the 3rd Industrial revolution ends. He advised students on the need to upgrade their skills by embracing technology and developing abilities such as problem-solving, creativity, artificial intelligence and critical thinking.
Prof. Godfred A. Bokpin
During the awards presentation, DroneFarmzGH placed fifth, Paint’n Africa came fourth, Mr. Ifeanyi Joshua took the second runner-up position with the Pathfinders, first runner-ups and the overall winner was Mr. Asomani Ofosu Stephen. Mr. Ifeanyi took home an amount of Two thousand Ghana cedis and UG souvenirs, the Pathfinders received Three Thousand Ghana cedis and UG souvenirs sponsored by the ENGEN Ghana Ltd. Mr. Asomani, the overall winner received Five Thousand Ghana cedis and UG souvenirs sponsored by the Societé General Bank.
The winner, Mr. Asomani Stephen receiving his award from an official from Societé Generale Ghana
In his closing remark, Prof. Onwona-Agyeman stated that the Students Innovation Challenge is in to stay and commended the Institute for championing such an innovative and captivating challenge. He encouraged students to put in their proposals during the next call for applications. He also congratulated the finalists for their innovative works and encouraged them to strive at improving their models for possible penetration into the business markets. He also expressed his sincere gratitude to the audience, judges, sponsors and mentors for making the maiden Students Innovation challenge a success.
