Makerere-designed car at global exhibition in Italy

A PROTOTYPE car designed by Makerere University students is being exhibited at the World Design Capital in Torino, Italy.

The environmentally-friendly and energy efficient prototype was part of last year’s Dream Exposition designs at the workshop room at Torino Museum.

The first model of the vehicle, Vision 200, was partly designed by six Makerere undergraduate engineering students. While building the car in Italy, the students handled the ‘heart’ of the vehicle (transmission and power-train).

Steven Ntambi and his colleague test their prototype car before welding on the body in Italy. The car, Vision 200, uses 1 litre of fuel for 80km. August 25, 2008

This involves data networking, battery and the protection system and welding on the body of the vehicle.

Since Makerere University did not have enough money to build a general transportation research centre, Massachusetts Institute of Technology of the USA took over the building of the vehicle.

Vision 200 final version, is aimed at creating a global solution to the energy and pollution challenges as well as lowering the cost of eco-friendly cars.

It is being designed by a consortium composed of students from at least 27 leading technology research universities and colleges including Harvard, Princeton, Germany’s FH Bochum University of Applied Sciences, Imperial College of London in the UK and Dehli College in India, with support from several private companies and institutions. Once completed, the car is expected to reduce gas emissions and increase the efficiency of fuel consumption.

Energy Conservation Cooperation Between Makerere University's Faculty of Technology (FOT) and East African Energy Conservation Alliance (EAECA)

In pursuance of promoting energy issues and its conservation, EAECA and FOT signed a memorandum of understanding early in 2004, to:

• Achieve good practices in design, installation, operation and maintenance;
• Enhance information flow on renewables and penetrate new markets;
• Increase awareness of all on saving methods and benefits;
• Promote environmental benefits appreciation amongst stakeholders;
• Develop a sustainable renewable energy industry; and,
• Build capacity for training at FOT.

In so doing, develop an Energy Centre for training, testing and certification of equipment for conformance to Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) expectations.
Agreed under the conditions as hereinafter cited:

• FOT to support EAECA projects;
• EAECA to network with NGOs, teaching institutions and governments of the developed world for technology transfer;
• EAECA to seek donor support for FOT capacity building;
• FOT to promote energy conservation training and research in Uganda;
• FOT to develop and incorporate energy issues as part of core curriculum content;
• EAECA to link FOT with private sector locally and beyond for training;
• EAECA to provide administrative support;
• Both parties will hold joint responsibility for manpower, facilities and their maintenance; and,
• This agreement remaining valid for as long as both parties consent, with attachments thereto, or with revisions as may be agreed, otherwise, agreeing on conditions of termination.

The signatories to the above understanding were Dr. B. Nawangwe and Mr. Charles Nangosia for FOT and EAECA respectively.