Gulu University Team wins Gold Award at the Efficiency for Access Design Challenge

A huge congratulations to the three TEA-LP partner universities who won awards at the Efficiency for Access Design Challenge 2024/2025.

The Gold Award went to a team of students from Gulu University in Uganda  for their innovative hydrogel solar evaporator design. This is a sustainable solution that purifies contaminated water using solar energy and hydrogel materials. Designed for use in Ugandan refugee camps, the system is eco-friendly and low-cost, helping improve access to clean water and electricity. You can read an interview with the winning team here.

Emmanuel Menya, the team’s mentor and the facilitator of the MSc in Renewable Energy and Energy Access said:
“Two student teams from Gulu University took part in this year’s Challenge. Team 2024-08, which won the Gold Award, focused on developing a hydrogel solar evaporator for water purification. Its members were Ojede Brian Stephen, Nyamungu Rosemary, Madoi Shaidu, and Bakulumpagi Aloysius G. The second team, Team 2024-09, worked on developing a photocatalysis system for water purification. Its members included Munguci Saviour, Atuha Elisha, Okot Simon Peter, and Atyang Andrew. In January 2025, each team was awarded prototyping funding of GBP £1,340 from the Energy Saving Trust (UK) to prototype their ideas. Both teams are expected to have their prototypes completed by October 2025.

The teams’ success came from their hard work and creativity, along with strong mentorship. I served as the academic advisor, with Dr. Bernard Kivumbi supporting me as a co-advisor. We are both facilitators in the MSc Programme in Renewable Energy and Energy Access. The student teams were also mentored by an industry expert, Mr. Ramón Armando Ríos Ángel.”

Dr Menya went on to explain that the students involved in the Challenge are candidates for the TEA-LP supported Msc programme – we are very excited about the prospect of having such innovative and inspiring minds involved in our courses.

Other awards included:
Bronze Award for Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria, for a solar-powered irrigation system
Bronze Award for University of Rwanda, for a solar-powered fishpond aerator

People’s Award for the University of Rwanda, for their solar-powered tea leaf harvester.

The Efficiency for Access Design Challenge is a global competition that invites teams of university students to design affordable and energy-efficient appliances and technologies that can help accelerate energy access for underserved communities in low-income countries.