This archive report was first published on 22 April 2020.
Kenyan Innovators Join Global Efforts to Combat COVID-19 ¶
Kenyan universities have made significant contributions to the global fight against COVID-19 through innovative projects showcased at the Global Grad Show.
Organized by the Art Dubai Group in partnership with the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), the event received entries from 125 universities in 40 countries.
Among the Kenyan innovations featured at the show are Re-read Kenya and Rise up Africa Child. Re-read Kenya, developed by Team Re-read from Kisii University, aims to protect low-income households from the virus by creating awareness and distributing sanitary materials.
The project also collects data to assist governments and private sector efforts against COVID-19, particularly in poor communities, and works to create a group of volunteers to support specific taskforces.
Rise up Africa Child, developed by Team BAB from Mount Kenya University, investigates alternatives to minimize the exposure of homeless families to the virus. The project aims to identify facilities that can increase access to healthcare and hygiene for these families.
Other notable innovations include Foresight, an AI system to monitor patient recovery, and Social Place, which repurposes public areas for mental health. The event also featured Fresh Tracker, a system to optimize the use of food supplies, and ClAir Tram, a clean and healthy public transport system.
Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, praised the initiative, saying it was 'extremely encouraging to see' the global response to the pandemic.
The Global Grad Show has received entries from top-ranked institutions worldwide, including MIT, Harvard University, University of Oxford, and Imperial College London.
