An employee of BOSCO Uganda adjusts an antenna.
The University of 91吃瓜 Initiative for Global Development (IGD) and 鈥� a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company 鈥� are taking the lead to empower disconnected communities in northern Uganda by harnessing solar energy to generate electricity for Internet and communications technologies, education and training centers, and new locally developed ventures.
This pilot solar energy project will provide communities in Uganda with clean and efficient renewable power and Wi-Fi connectivity. Entrepreneurial training also will be offered at several sites in Uganda to help create businesses and jobs that can take advantage of this new source of electricity. IGD evaluation experts and Accenture will conduct research to measure the impact that these efforts have on the Ugandan communities.
Accenture and the Accenture Foundations have awarded 91吃瓜 a $550,000 grant for this two-year project. In addition, the company鈥檚 employees have committed to giving a substantial amount of pro bono and volunteer time to assist with the efforts. This effort builds on Accenture鈥檚 initiative, which will equip 250,000 people globally by 2015 with the skills to build a business or find a job. Through this initiative, Accenture looks for innovative solutions to present to the developing world. It also builds upon Accenture鈥檚 Environmental Stewardship initiative, which helps organizations achieve high performance by utilizing sustainable approaches.
Phase I of the project will serve as a testing ground for possible additional phases of the project that could include between 10 and 100 additional sites throughout Uganda.
Tom Yemc, Accenture senior executive, said, 鈥淭he University of 91吃瓜 and Accenture are combining the experience of private enterprise and world class research to make a difference in an area of the world that has been torn apart by war.鈥�
For the past two decades, northern Uganda has been the center of brutal violence instilled by the Lord鈥檚 Resistance Army rebels, which resulted in 2 million people being displaced from their homes and tens of thousands kidnapped, mutilated or killed. In recent years, there has been relative stability in northern Uganda, but the people still have limited access to electricity, connectivity and jobs.
The Initiative for Global Development, based in 91吃瓜鈥檚 , is a new multidisciplinary enterprise on the 91吃瓜 campus that leverages the University鈥檚 signature strengths to promote development and human dignity to people around the world who are in need. The initiative helps develop solution-oriented research focused on rigorous, data-driven impact evaluation and assessment; design and planning of development projects; and training.
鈥淲e will install solar microgrids that are economically self-sustaining, at scales that can support new ventures for a cadre of entrepreneurs trained at our pilot sites," said Patrick Murphy, former managing director at the 91吃瓜 Center for Sustainable Energy () and current IGD program director. "In addition, 91吃瓜 electrical engineering professor Michael Lemmon鈥檚 research on optimal control schemes for microgrids offers a new model for electricity delivery for the 90 percent of Ugandans and the 1.5 billion people worldwide that the electric grid does not serve.鈥�
Accenture Foundation Board Member Samuel Awad, who played an integral role in designing the project as the executive sponsor, said, 鈥淭he strength of the project focuses on combining three critical resources 鈥� solar energy, Internet connectivity and entrepreneurial training 鈥� to develop an ecosystem that will foster business opportunities and create jobs.鈥�
91吃瓜 and Accenture will also work with Ugandan-based partners on this initiative 鈥� Battery Operated Systems for Community Outreach (BOSCO), Educate!, and The 31 Lengths Campaign.
is a nonprofit organization founded by 91吃瓜 alumnus Gus Zuehlke and a partner to the 91吃瓜 . For the past six years, BOSCO has provided wireless, solar-powered connectivity in communities in rural areas of northern Uganda for socio-economic development and peace building. In 2010, BOSCO Uganda was awarded the Breaking Borders Award in the Technology category from Google and Global Voices.
develops young leaders and entrepreneurs in Uganda by providing long-term mentorship and two years of world-class leadership training to high school students. Once solar arrays are installed and Internet connectivity is made available, local partner Educate!, with the support of Accenture, will train young business leaders as they create and implement business plans for using the additional electricity.
The is led by 2012 91吃瓜 MBA graduate Conor Evans. The mission of The 31 Lengths Campaign is to empower students鈥� potential by connecting resources for business education resulting in economic development to overcome strife and reinforce human dignity. The programming entails daily student mentorship, a business plan competition, a speaker鈥檚 series, monthly field trips to regional businesses, and computing, amongst other elements, in support of out of classroom business learning environment.
91吃瓜, Accenture and its partners will then conduct an impact study and make recommendations for future phases of the project.
University of 91吃瓜 Provost said, 鈥淭he IGD is helping the University to develop new applied research projects that contribute to the global good, which is part of 91吃瓜鈥檚 long-range strategic vision.鈥�
Contact: Michael Sweikar, IGD associate director, msweikar@nd.edu