Taita Taveta University wins SH115,000 from the third edition of BIC education challenge

Taita Taveta University’s Tunza Mazingira Environment project has won the third edition of the BIC education challenge.

The BIC Education Challenge promotes social entrepreneurship and innovation in education, with entrants presenting solutions to education-related issues that were evaluated on their overall concept, supporting market research, insight into consumer needs, and possibility of execution.

The Tunza Mazingira project that won $1,000 (Ksh115,100) aims at making ottoman poofs out of plastic bottles.

Moi University finished second in the competition with their Somesha Dada project which aims at raising interest in math and science for young mothers returning to school and received a grant of $600 (Ksh69,000).

In third place was the team from Kabarak University with their Solar Powered Carbon Filter whom recived a grant of $400 (Ksh46,000). In addition to the monetary support, the winners will be mentored by BIC East Africa experts to prepare them for 20th Enactus National Competition.

The final winners will then represent Kenya at the Enactus World Cup taking place in October 2022, competing against 37 Enactus affiliate countries.

Commenting on the occasion, General Manager at BIC East Africa, Michael Sinclair, said: “Our
partnership with Enactus seeks to support young people to be creative and business-minded
and to offer solutions that can bring a positive change to communities.

“We believe that by providing the right training for skills development, individual support such as coaching and mentorship, as well as financial support, our youth can have a place in the entrepreneurship
ecosystem.”

Pleased by another successful partnership with BIC in Kenya, Enactus Kenya Country Director, James Shikwati, said: “The BIC partnership with Enactus Kenya over the last three years has
been a game changer through the deliberate sensitization of university students to challenges
that face girl children, women, and the disadvantaged people at the same time.

“It at the same time benefits the targeted communities. This is a great initiative worth emulating”.

Institutions that participated in the event are; Kenyatta University, addressing the problem of teenage pregnancy, with their proposed Girls Education Platform (GEP).

Kabarak University, tackling the issue of global warming with a proposal for a Solar Powered Carbon Filter.

Egerton University, presenting solutions for adopting an environmentally friendly approach to agriculture, with the Asili Eco-Therapy Project which aims to re-use BIC pen casings to make seedling beds and casings.

Taita Taveta University, tackling an environmental challenge proposing to make ottoman poofs out of plastic bottles in their project dubbed Tunza Mazingira.

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science Technology, addressing the issue of rising school dropouts by teaching youth in Bondo region to grow cotton and mulberry.

Moi University, aiming to solve disinterest in subjects such as Science and Mathematics among teenage mothers who return to school at upper primary and secondary school levels, through their Somesha Dada project.