GEO | ChangeSchool

Innovation for African Universities (IAU) Programme

About the programme

A British Council Going Global Partnerships initiative strengthening African universities' capacity to drive innovation and entrepreneurship. Led by University of Nairobi, City University of London, and ChangeSchool London, the programme supports partnerships across UK, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.

Programme impact

Twenty-four projects selected from 50+ applications received funding up to £60,000 to address youth employability, climate change, and digital innovation. The Centre of Excellence received £700,000 to implement activities fostering student-led initiatives and positioning universities as key players in entrepreneurship ecosystems.

Links

Innovation for African Universities – Programme Overviewhttps://www.britishcouncil.org/education/he-science/opportunities/innovation-african-universities

Innovation for African Universities – Video Overview https://youtu.be/gjrdHApwkvk

Creative Spark – Higher Education Enterprise Programme

About the Programme

The British Council Creative Spark Programme was launched in 2018 to form 35 partnerships across seven countries in Central Asia and the South Caucasus. In 20219 this was expanded to 50 partnerships.

The five-year UK partnership initiative (2018-2023) building entrepreneurship capabilities across Ukraine, Central Asia, and the South Caucasus through curriculum innovation, policy dialogue, and incubation centre establishment.

The programme worked with 132 universities across seven nations; Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine, establishing 32 creative hubs and training over 750,000 young people.

Partnership Institutions

Armenia: Brusov State University, Armenian National Engineering Laboratories

Georgia: Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, V. Sarajishvili Tbilisi State Conservatoire

Kyrgyzstan: Enactus Kyrgyzstan

Uzbekistan: Tashkent State Technical University, National Institute of Fine Art and Design

Big Idea Challenge – International Success

ChangeSchool, London and Essex Business School led partnership in Armenia produced an international winner for business ideas delivering social impact. GreenDom from Brusov State University, Armenia, won the international social impact award at Oxford's Wadham College in September 2019, competing against nearly 400 teams with their therapeutic greenhouse concept preparing children with disabilities for the labour market.

Competition Winners

Creative Category:

Oinobook (Kyrgyzstan), Living Bakery Museum (Uzbekistan)

Digital Technology:

Smart Parking (Azerbaijan), Smartech (Kyrgyzstan), Safe Watch (Kyrgyzstan), Home Energy Consumption (Azerbaijan), Foldlink (Armenia)

Social Impact:

GreenDom (Armenia), Boom Filter & Tank (Azerbaijan)

Popular Vote:

Diamond Drop (Uzbekistan), Transparent Solar Panels (Armenia)

Entrepreneurial University Awards

Uzbekistan

A pioneering initiative organized by the British Council, Uzbekistan's Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education, and ChangeSchool London recognizing excellence in enterprise education. Eleven universities competed across eight categories, with winners selected by UK creative economy experts.

Grand Winner: Tashkent State Technical University

TSTU won Enterprising University of the Year plus multiple categories including Start-up of the Year (for establishing a 3D factory and Transformers Education robotics centre), Green University (launching 'Alternative Energy Sources' degree), and Industry Connection (Technopark partnership).

Award Winning Recognition