The visiting DKTE Institute delegation with members of Busitema University Management and Staff. The leader of delegation, Professor C.D. Kane (2nd from left) is flanked by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mary Okwakol (L) and the Academic Registrar, Mr. Elisha Obella(R).
Busitema University is to spearhead banana fibre textile research and development in Uganda, in collaboration with the DKTE Textile and Engineering Institute of India. The collaborative arrangements between the two institutions were agreed upon during a recent visit by a high powered delegation of Professors from the DKTE Institute to Busitema University.
The University’s Banana Research and Development Programme covers, among other things, research into mechanical properties of banana fibres, development of methods of banana fibre extraction, designing technologies for banana fibre value addition, setting up a pilot production facility for the extraction and processing of banana fibre into textiles, and building the capacity of women banana farmers to add value to the fibres at household level.
“A number of value added textile products can be made from banana fibres including curtains, window blinds, table cloths, table mats, bags, ropes yarns and garments. This would no doubt enhance the profitability of farmers and contribute to the country’s foreign exchange earnings as some of these items can be sold at international markets. Banana fibre products have wide export potential since they are ecofriendly.” Professor Okwakol, the Vice Chancellor said.
About 75% of the farmers in Uganda grow the banana crop and the fibre is essentially considered as waste material after harvesting the fruit. Presently, only a small quantity of fibres is being used for the preparation of handicraft items. In other words, the application potential of banana fibres is not being optimally utilized.
Presenting the Programme to the visiting delegation, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Samuel Baker Kucel, emphasized that the project will enrich the teaching of Textile Engineering, one of the academic programmes offered at the University. In 2008, Busitema University won a competitive Millenium Science Initiative Grant of US $ 1.25million to start the programme. Twenty (20) pioneer students of the programme enrolled this academic year.
The leader of the Indian delegation, Professor Chandrakant D. Kane, commended Busitema University for the innovative programme on production of banana fibre textiles in Uganda. He pledged his Institute’s support and advised the University to consider similar work on silk, sisal, wool and pineapple fibres.
The research is one of the areas covered in the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Busitema University and DKTE Textile and Engineering Institute during the visit, other collaborative areas agreed upon by the two institutions include human and institutional capacity building, curriculum development, student and staff exchange, and knowledge transfer partnerships with private sector and local communities.
DKTE will send two of their Professors every semester for a period of one and half months, and one Professor will be sent for a full academic year every year for the purposes of teaching, training Busitema staff, research and interaction with industry. DKTE will offer Busitema staff facilities and opportunities for qualification improvement by admitting two staff members for Masters Degree in Textile Technology and one or two for Doctoral studies. In addition DKTE will support Busitema in establishing a Masters programme in Textile Technology at Busitema. DKTE will also support Busitema in setting up a Textile component of the Science and Technology Park at Busitema. Busitema University and the DKTE Institute are also to jointly assist the textile industry in Uganda to improve and grow through joint partnerships. Busitema University plans to establish a centre for garment making technology for women.
In September 2008, Busitema University won a Uganda Millennium Science Initiative (MSI) Competitive Grant of US$1.25 million for starting a Bachelor of Science in Textile Engineering programme. Implementation of the programme started in August 2009 with enrollment of twenty Pioneer students.
