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Africa Network at York
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Business and entrepreneurship

Focus area lead - Dr Cathy Mbide

Cathy Ikiror Mbidde currently works at the Department of Marketing & Management and leads The Makerere University Innovations Hub which was recently established with funding from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Its aim is to start driving commercialisation of innovations and enterprises resulting from the research undertaken by scholars at Makerere University. The  Innovations Hub has built international collaborations with the University of York to support commercialisation, capacity building and programme rollout. Cathy is passionate about entrepreneurship, micro, small and medium business development and ensuring equitable development and progress of early career research and female scholars across Africa.

Selection of spaces at Mak unipod

A selection of spaces at Mak Unipod

The Makerere University Innovation Pod (Mak UniPod)

Makerere University Innovation Pod (Mak Unipod) is a state-of the-art-of-the pod to engage problem-solvers, innovators, entrepreneurs, makers, doers, industry-shapers, job-creators, disruptors, wealth transformers, and designers of the future within an innovation ecosystem. Mak Unipod was established in 2022 with support from UNDP and launched in January 2024, as an autonomous unit mandated by the Office of the University Vice Chancellor, with the aim of fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within the university community and beyond.

Mak UniPod serves as a dynamic physical hub and cultural melting pot, fostering innovation among students, faculty, and external individuals alike, irrespective of their academic backgrounds. It offers a nurturing environment where individuals can unleash their inherent design prowess to craft solutions. From solo exploration to collaborative group endeavors spanning diverse academic fields for the co-creation of innovative solutions addressing societal challenges.

The main goal is to facilitate strategic partnerships so as to:

  1. increase innovation capacity
  2. facilitate collaboration
  3. empower entrepreneurs
  4. promote diversity and inclusion and (v) deliver measurable impact. 

Mak UniPod will build capacity, promote innovation, foster entrepreneurship, drive research and development, enhance student engagement and strengthen industry.

Mak UniPod is committed to providing essential infrastructure and facilities to nurture a community-focused innovation ecosystem. The space is fair, inclusive, engaging, safe and functional. There are collaborative workspaces, meeting and training locations, ensuring accessibility for individuals with disabilities, offering dependable internet access, and upholding clean restroom facilities.