Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) has once again, as always, produced surprises of creating innovations and technologies that matter to Tanzanians and other stakeholders as a whole. Most of the new innovations and technologies come to the knowledge of the public through various forms of outreach activities including displays during agricultural exhibitions. This article intends to document emerging new innovations and technologies at SUA that matter to the society. In this article, the concept of innovations is used broadly to refer to new- novel things including knowledge (ideas) whereas technologies is used to denote new-novel tangible things.
I. Displays of furniture constructed from used car Tyres at Moringe Sokoine Campus
The first category of emerging innovations and technologies at SUA include constructed materials from used car tyres, which were displayed during the visit of the SUA Chancellor at the Moringe Sokoine Campus in October 2021. During the visit, the Chancellor was accompanied by Hon. Judge Othman Chande- the Chairman of SUA Council, Prof. Raphael Chibunda- the SUA Vice Chancellor, and Prof. Amandus Muhairwa- The Deputy Vice Chancellor – Administration and Finance. The displayed artwork during the visit include chairs, coffee tables and display shelves.
Photo 1: Hon. Judge Joseph Sinde Warioba- the Chancellor of SUA listening to Miss Mary Marcel- SUA Lecturer from the Department of Human Nutrition and Consumer Sciences at the College of Agriculture (Center) as she explains about furniture constructed from used car tyres, and door mats handcrafted from used flour bags.
Photo 2: SUA Chancellor – Hon. Judge Joseph Sinde Warioba observing a coffee table constructed from used car tyre with its top made from wood, and door mats handcrafted from used flour bags.
Photo 3: Testing the beauty, strength and comfortability of the amazing furniture during the display at Moringe Sokoine Campus
II. Displays of furniture constructed from used car Tyres in Mwanza Region
Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) conducts outreach activities in different places in the country. Recently, SUA displayed various innovations and technologies including furniture constructed from used car tyres during Conference on 60 Years After Tanzania Independence held at St. Augustine University in Mwanza, Tanzania (SAUT) from 29th November to 1st December 2021, which marked the climax of the event. The displays also included mobile laboratory for testing zoonotic diseases and analysis related to COVID-19. The theme of the conference was “Contribution of Agricultural Sector to Development in Tanzania: Achievements and Challenges After 60 Years of Independence.
Photo 4: Mwanza Regional Commissioner, Eng. Robert Gabriel (Sitting) testing the beauty, strength and comfortability of the chair constructed from used car tyres. On the right is Prof. Raphael Chibunda, the VC of SUA, and Prof. Lesakit Mellau, the VC Mwalimu Kambarage Nyerere University of Agriculture and Technology sharing a moment of laughter with Eng. Robert as he enjoys using innovations and technologies created at SUA.
Photo 5: Prof. Raphael Chibunda, the SUA VC (at the podium) sharing his ideas during activities of the Conference on 60 Years of Tanzania Independence held in Mwanza, Tanzania.
Photo 7: A smiling and joyful Prof. Maulid Mwatawala (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Research and Consultancy) while at SAUT, Mwanza as he enjoys sitting on the chair constructed at SUA using used car Tyres. In front of Prof. Maulid is a coffee table constructed from similar material with a wooden top
Photo 8: Exhibitors from the Department of Human Nutrition and Consumer Sciences sitting on chairs as they demonstrate the reality of making furniture material from used car tyres in Mwanza.
Photo 9: Students from Nganza Secondary School in Mwanza visiting SUA displays of innovations and technologies at SAUT in Mwanza
Photo 10: Students from Nganza and Nsumba Secondary Schools in Mwanza visiting SUA displays of innovations and technologies held at SAUT in Mwanza
Photo 11: Prof. Samwel Kabote – the Principal of College of Social Science and Humanities (CSSH, SUA) and Chairperson of organizing committee of SUA, SAUT and Mwalimu Kambarage Nyerere University of Agriculture and Technology participation in activities of 60 anniversary of Tanzania Independence (R) having a discussion with Ms Suzana- a member of the organizing committee (L) from SUA
III. Displays of Mobile Laboratory held in Mwanza Tanzania
Display of Mobile Laboratory that tests zoonotic diseases and other was among innovations and technologies displayed during activities of 60 anniversary of Tanzania Independence held at SAUT Mwanza, Tanzania. Among new knowledge shared was about laboratory analysis related to COVID-19 and how to outsmart the disease using vaccines and other interventions.
Photo 12: Prof. Raphael Chibunda (C) posing for a group photo with exhibitors of mobile laboratory for analysis of zoonotic diseases, and other related to COVID-19 disease.
Photo 13: Prof. Gerald Misinzo of College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (R), SUA engaged in discussion with two Medical Students (C) from the Catholic University of Health Sciences (CUHAS) during exhibitions held at SAUT, Mwanza Tanzania (All photos in the article credited to Innocent Babili, SUA, Morogoro).
For more information about this article please write your email to Dr. Innocent H. Babili at ibabili@sua.ac.tz