Who owns a student’s innovation? As school projects gain value, rights questions grow

What the report says

The Independent Uganda, citing URN, reported that a National STEM Exhibition at Kololo Secondary School in Kampala has sharpened debate over who owns student innovations when classroom projects begin to show commercial or social value. The July 18 report said learners presented work in robotics, health, agriculture, ICT, environmental solutions and other fields, raising questions about intellectual property, registration and benefit-sharing.

One example was a herbal syrup by students from Bubangizi Secondary School in Mitooma District. Senior Five student Patience Kyesimire said the idea followed frequent stomach-related complaints among learners and involved experiments with plant-based materials including cabbage, carrots, beetroot, aloe vera and honey. The report noted that the syrup remains experimental and would need further scientific study before any medical use, but Kyesimire said students need a way to protect work that may later prove useful.

Other projects highlighted similar concerns. Peter Atuuhura of Adelante Africa Secondary School in Kakumiro District displayed a wastewater purification system using charcoal, gravel, sand and ultraviolet treatment, while Vannessa Nakalyango and classmates from St Elizabeth Girls Mityana presented an automated irrigation system using sensors and weather information. The students argued that their designs, adaptations and code should not disappear into exhibitions without guidance on rights.

Geoffrey Namisi, a SESEMAT coordinator at the Ministry of Education and Sports, told the publication the issue is timely as schools produce more practical innovations, some already generating income. He said stakeholders have begun engaging bodies such as the Uganda Registration Services Bureau and that Uganda needs clearer policy on ownership among learners, teachers and schools when student work moves toward the market.