Opportunity

To support Kyambogo Universities Directorate of ICT and Services (DICTS) growing technology and innovation capacity, the University calls for expression from venture capital firms for a partnership to invest and operate a Technology Hub. This is expected to boost the resource mobilization efforts of the University using ICT innovations/solutions/platforms created at the university over time.
Under the Business Development section of DICTS, many ICT solutions and innovations that need vital capital and assistance for scaling and commercializing are ongoing. Additionally, this initiative exemplifies Kyambogo University’s longstanding commitment to innovation and provides an opportunity through leveraging synergies with the Government, The private sector, and its academic platform.
The University envisions unlimited potential linkage opportunities to its Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture and Math (STEAM), intellectual property commercialization, and entrepreneurship programs.

Background

DICTS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SECTION
The Directorate of Information Communication Technology (DICT) has an established Department responsible for information systems development, applied research, innovations and business development (MISR) for efficient and competitive ICT solutions for the University and the wider national and international market. The MISR Department has two sections, namely, Management Information Systems (MIS) and Research, Innovations and Business Development (RIBD) (section 7.0 pg 9 of DICTS structure).
The MIS section is by policy mandate responsible for all information systems development, customization, deployment and continual improvement across the University including development/acquisition, implementation and deployment as well as resolving systems issues, developing innovations and solutions for internal and external consumption, monitoring the performance of key information systems, performance tuning, documenting systems, developing user manuals and system reports.

The RIBD is responsible for the development and review of ICT policies and strategies for the University, the development of proposals and concept papers for external projects and funding, the conduct of cutting-edge research and presentation of research papers, software incubation, nurturing and packaging of research outcomes into valuable products to meet the demands of the national and international community and ICT capacity building for the University and the National economy. The department in the established DICTS structure is given the mandate to generate revenue for the University through ICT research, consultancy and training.
To exercise the above mandate, the DICTS is taking active steps to achieve the ICT policy objective 6.1.6 which allows DICTS to carry out ICT consultancy services, innovations, applied research and business developments. The implementation strategy extracted from sections 7.6 (a) to (e) of the policy framework and resource mobilization policy framework section (8.1) below:

Request for EOI– to operate a Technology Hub

  • Develop mechanisms the university technology transfers through the establishment of software and hardware incubations centre at the directorate
  • Conduct applied research and innovations to provide ICT solutions to the wider national and international markets that generate income for the University;
  • Market the University through the use and production of innovative and sustainable ICT solutions to societal challenges.
  • (Develop a business framework to establish linkages with firms, industry and government with a view to addressing their ICT needs through consultancy works and services;
  • Strengthen coordination and partnerships between public and private sectors through strategies for the development of commercialization of the university-developed ICT solutions;
  • Ensure the establishment of mechanisms to tap and train students of the University who excel in their ICT programmes and incorporate them into the University human resources structure for research

Profile of Partners Required

The partner should be able to demonstrate the following via a Business Strategy and Plan covering the following

key principles: –

Previous experience (Firm experience)

  • Proven ability to enter contracts and conduct business in Uganda (certificate of registration, tax registration
  • and tax clearance, PPDA registration required)
  • Prior experience in the implementation of Information Systems. (certificate of completion or recommendation letters from clients required)
  • Proven prior experience with big Joint Venture projects both in the public and private sectors
  • Prior experience in the design, build and operation of a technology hub and or Centre of Excellence
  • Proven experience in the ICT industry in Uganda with specific experience in the delivery of national-scale ICT projects
  • Possessing collaborations with global institutions of higher learning to help with best practices in delivering different programs.

Have a clear Methodology and Understanding of the

  • Terms of Reference
  • Approach to the assignment
  • Work plan and schedule of activities
  • Investment and sustainability plan

Financial Capacity

  • Proven financial capacity of at least USD 15,000,000 (fifteen million United States Dollars) having run
  • projects of similar monetary value (audited financials required)
  • Proven experience in raising capital and project finance for similar projects
  • Responsiveness of financial proposals to the TORs, including the ability to finance the project if required

Key Personnel

Availability of suitably qualified personnel to conceptualize, design execute and monitor the setup and operations of the hub. This includes but is not limited to Team Lead, Business Development Lead, Technology Lead, Monitoring and Evaluation Lead, software developers, and field operations team.

Have Uganda National Participation and local content

The details for the proposal call can be found on the Kyambogo University website: www.kyu.ac.ug All completed proposals can be submitted to the Office of the Vice Chancellor, at the Main Building, Kyambogo University Campus. Soft copies of the proposal can be sent to the email address: vckyu@kyu.ac.ug. The deadline for submission of the proposal is 19th September 2022 at 5:00 PM EAT (Extended from 5th).

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