Cavendish University Uganda has stepped up its support for practical and innovation-driven education by sponsoring the Inter-Schools Project Competition (ISPC). The event brought together 12 secondary schools to showcase student-led solutions to real-world challenges. Five schools advanced to the finals: St. Cyprian High School Kyabakadde, St. Mary’s College Lugazi, Queen of Martyrs High School, Seeta High Green Campus, and St. Henry’s High School Mukono. The competition aimed to demonstrate creativity, critical thinking, and the ability to turn classroom knowledge into practical projects.
Cavendish University Uganda Executive Director David Mutabanura was the chief guest at the event, reaffirming the university’s commitment to supporting learning approaches that equip students with practical skills for employment, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving. Mutabanura said the competition reflects the university’s educational philosophy, which places students at the centre of learning and encourages them to apply knowledge to real-life situations. He explained that the university integrates practical problem-solving into its curriculum, internships, and research to help learners develop competencies.
Mutabanura emphasized that exposing secondary school students to project-based learning prepares them for higher education by nurturing innovation, collaboration, and independent thinking. He urged partners and sponsors to help promising projects progress from concepts to implementation, noting that some student innovations require financial support, technical expertise, equipment, and skilled personnel to become viable solutions. Cavendish University Uganda aims to continue supporting initiatives that give young people opportunities to develop and present their ideas.
Cavendish University Head Dean of Students Bernard Ochan said the competition reflects a broader need to redefine educational success by placing greater emphasis on learners’ ability to solve problems rather than relying exclusively on examination results. Ochan challenged schools to nurture learners who can identify challenges in their communities, develop creative ideas, and translate those ideas into practical solutions. He also urged parents to consider the skills and competencies their children acquire at school, rather than judging educational institutions solely by their academic performance.
Ochan emphasized that successful innovations must be affordable, reliable, and sustainable, particularly when they are intended to benefit communities with limited financial resources. He argued that a project’s value should not be judged only by its technical sophistication but also by whether the people it is designed to help can afford and maintain it. The competition provides an important platform for students to build confidence, share their ideas, and receive recognition for their creativity.
Beyond the competition, Mutabanura highlighted Cavendish University Uganda’s preparations for competency-based education, including engagements with education regulators, staff training, and reviews of academic programmes. The university is strengthening lecturers’ capacity to deliver practical learning and exploring digital platforms that connect students with workplace projects and real-world challenges. The aim is to bridge the gap between academic learning and the practical competencies required in employment and entrepreneurship.
The competition highlighted the potential of school-based innovation to encourage young people to develop solutions to challenges affecting their communities. However, university officials said sustaining such initiatives requires collaboration among schools, universities, government, businesses, and other development partners. Mutabanura urged potential partners to support promising student projects with funding, technical guidance, and other resources needed to move them towards practical application.
Key points
- Cavendish University Uganda is championing practical and innovation-driven education by sponsoring the Inter-Schools Project Competition.
- The competition aims to encourage students to develop practical skills and solutions to real-world challenges.
- The university is preparing for competency-based education by strengthening lecturers’ capacity and exploring digital platforms.
