UDICTI is an umbrella innovation unit located in the College of Information and Communication Technologies (CoICT) at the University of Dar es Salaam. We provide a platform for addressing social and corporate challenges by creating social solutions and commercial ventures. Our services include innovation space, hands-on training on innovation and entrepreneurship, mentorship, coaching, networking opportunities, and technical skills development such as programming and mobile app development. We support students in turning their business ideas into startups.
Our programs at UDICTI are designed to promote innovation and entrepreneurship among students. We offer various innovation programs, ranging from creating social change to supporting startups and businesses in the ICT sector. The UDICTI Hub consists of multiple programs that are tailored to meet the needs of our stakeholders.
Our startup academy provides a supportive environment for UDSM students with innovative business ideas. It offers comprehensive training and mentorship to help students bring their ideas to fruition.
We also offer challenge-based programs such as Y4C, FinHub, and CDE, through which we collaborate with industry to address industrial challenges for social and corporate good. The mode of ownership for solutions that emerge from these programs is determined by a memorandum of understanding (MoU) governing the process.
At UDICTI, we are committed to promoting an innovation-driven culture that supports the development of sustainable solutions for social and economic growth. We believe that our work has the potential to drive positive change in society, and we are dedicated to realizing that vision.
Our activities cycle at UDICTI is designed to support students in developing sustainable solutions to social and corporate challenges. The cycle consists of five major steps: recruitment, ideas/challenges definition, solutions development, commercialization, and exit.
Recruitment for our challenge-driven innovation programs takes place at the end of the academic year. Selected students participate in a practical training program where they learn and start developing solutions that they carry on to the subsequent academic year. UDICTI Startup Academy recruitment is finalized at the beginning of a new academic year, giving first-year students the chance to join the program. Our SmartKidz and SmartTeenz programs are science-camp based and are conducted depending on the primary and secondary schools' calendars to allow more low-level students to participate. Our plan is to integrate the next-gen empowerment program into schools.
The solutions development process typically lasts 14-to-17 weeks. During this time, students employ design thinking or lean methodologies to design, prototype, test, and implement solutions for the challenges they address. Commercialization of products is a parallel process where students learn about their customers and market as they develop and test. Ultimately, students are supported to develop full business plans, register companies/businesses, and access other networking and support services that establish them as startups or businesses.
Our activities cycle is designed to provide students with comprehensive training and mentorship, along with the practical skills and tools they need to develop innovative solutions that can make a positive impact in society. We believe that by nurturing young talent and supporting them in their entrepreneurial journeys, we can help create a better future for all.
Opportunities
We are committed to creating an innovation ecosystem that supports the development of sustainable solutions for social and corporate challenges. As such, we offer a range of opportunities for potential partners to collaborate with us in advancing our mission.
Co-Products Development and Commercialization We welcome opportunities to collaborate with other institutions in co-product development and commercialization. Through joint initiatives, students from different institutions can identify and address challenges together, leveraging their diverse skills and expertise to create innovative solutions.
Students Networking and Support Services We offer networking and support services to students, providing them with opportunities to visit and learn from the innovation ecosystem across different countries. Students can apply the skills acquired and use the networks forged for the development and commercialization of their products.
Research and Development Through UDICTI and collaborating institutions, we establish academia-industry linkages that enhance innovation and research skills. We welcome partnerships with organizations that share our vision for creating a sustainable future through innovation.
Coaches Exchange for Learning and Research We believe in continuous learning and growth, and we welcome opportunities for coaches exchange to improve the innovation ecosystem of both institutions. Through coach exchange programs, we can learn from each other's experiences and build stronger partnerships.
Capacity Building for Academic Staff Members We offer capacity building opportunities for academic staff members, including training on teaching methodologies and pedagogical approaches relevant to teaching innovation and entrepreneurship. We also provide coaching and commercialization training to enhance staff members' skills in these areas.
We welcome all potential partners who share our vision of creating a better future through innovation and entrepreneurship. If you are interested in collaborating with us, please do not hesitate to contact us.
