by By UNICROSS Media Team
A team of entrepreneurs from University of Cross River State known as DC Solar Element Stove Team, has emerged as semifinalists of the first-ever Science and Technology Innovation Challenge (STIC).
The team achieved this feat courtesy of their idea titled “DC Solar Element Stove”.
Their emergence as regional semifinalists
qualifies them for a chance to win the 10 million naira grand prize and this grants the university the chance to win a special grant for research and development center, courtesy of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
In addition, the university’s Faculty Guide for the team stands a chance to win Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) cash and a laptop computer.
DC Solar Element Stove Team comprises Miss Victoria Ekpenyong Effiong, a second Year student of Visual Arts Department and Mr. Paul Okim, a third Year student of Electrical/Electronic Engineering Department.
A letter addressed to them by Michael Ajayi, Country Director of Enactus Nigeria, implementing partner for NCDMB, states that: “Of the 511 entries received from 129 tertiary institutions across all 36 states of Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory, 179 eventually made it to the first screening stage and were screened by 63 distinguished professionals who have over 100 years of cumulative experience in business development, information technology and social enterprise development. The judges committed over 156 man-hours to peruse and score in 3 rigorous screening stages over a 3-weeks period. After each of the three stages of the screening, the results were collated and verified by KPMG Professional Services.”
The letter explains that the STIC is a nation-wide, enterprise-development program designed to challenge undergraduates from all accredited Nigerian tertiary institutions to stretch their ingenuity and apply science and technology to create home-grown, innovative and technology-driven business solutions that address pressing everyday problems.
The letter adds that the initiative will create wealth and provide job opportunities for the growing number of unemployed Nigerians.
The management, staff and students of UNICROSS congratulate the DC Solar Element Stove Team on this feat and wish them success at the regional competition.
