By Charles Mkoka
Dar es Salaam — St Joseph University in Tanzania (SJUiT) has unveiled a series of innovative engineering prototypes designed to simplify professional work and address everyday challenges for Tanzanians.
The innovations were showcased during the 22nd Annual Engineers Exhibition at Mlimani City, where students presented practical solutions across key sectors including healthcare, marketing, branding, and assistive technology for special groups.
Speaking at the event, one of the student innovators, Ms. Tanzila, said the technologies were designed with inclusivity in mind.
“We have considered all groups in society and are addressing challenges, from small to large, by applying our skills and knowledge to benefit everyone,” she explained.
Among the standout innovations was a 360-degree rotating billboard capable of displaying advertisements in all directions, drawing strong interest from visitors for its potential in marketing products more effectively.
For special needs groups, SJUiT students showcased a speech-to-text system for people with hearing impairments, vision-to-sound description glasses for the visually impaired, and a smart chair for people with physical disabilities.
The students also demonstrated a foot-powered energy generator, capable of producing electricity through walking or stepping. They highlighted its potential use in high-footfall areas such as malls, markets, or rural communities.
Although the projects are still in the prototype phase, the university emphasized their practical functionality and aesthetic appeal.
“We believe that with sufficient funding or partnerships, these solutions can be developed further and brought to market for the benefit of society,” Ms. Tanzila added.
Organizers noted that the exhibition not only provided a platform for showcasing creativity but also inspired industrial growth and technological advancement among engineers in the country.