Calling all innovators for health care
ELECTRONICS company Philips, in collaboration with The Innovation Hub, yesterday launched the South African Innovation Fellows Competition aimed to unlock innovative talent and address challenges in health care.
“Innovation is a catalyst for economic development and increases the competitiveness of our local economy,” said McLean Sibanda, the chief executive of The Innovation Hub, at the launch.
“Collaborating with Philips on the first South African Innovation Fellows Competition will enable us to unlock technological innovations sitting among South Africans. These are the innovations that will assist in improving the living conditions of South African communities.”
If you believe you have the next big meaningful innovation, Philips wants to know about it.
The company will be providing R200 000 for research and development to the #nextbigidea in improving access to primary health care.
Starting today, interested participants can register at www.innova tionfellows.co.za and submit their #nextbigidea in a Word document or a PDF addressing the following topics: the challenge being addressed, the technological solution and the expected social impact.
If your idea is selected, you will be contacted to move on to the next phase.
“Africa is filled with opportunities and we have long seen this potential,” said JJ Van Dongen, the senior vice-president and chief executive of Philips Africa.
“Upon entering South Africa more than 100 years ago, we have been committed to delivering meaningful innovations.
“Following our research, we now want to show our support in offering South Africans the opportunity to showcase their own tangible innovations that can fundamentally change and improve the lives of others.”
Van Dongen referred to the results of an innovation research study conducted earlier this year in five African countries namely Kenya, Nigeria, Morocco, Egypt and South Africa.
The survey aimed to shed light on what people think of innovation, on perceived barriers to innovation and areas where successful innovation could improve lives.
Nigerians showed the highest overall score, 69 percent, in believing they are innovators, followed by South Africans at 60 percent.
All countries identified health and education as areas that would have the highest impact on their lives.
Generally, four in 10 people interviewed across the five countries are optimistic about their ideas being the “the next big thing” with more than half of Kenyans (58 percent and Nigerians 57 percent) being more positive, followed by South Africans at 46 percent.
At least 73 percent of people across some of the markets say that the lack of money is the biggest barrier to innovation.
“We believe that everyone has the potential to change the way we live for the better,” Van Dongen said.
“Submit your next big idea and we will help you make a real difference to the current challenges identified in our African Innovation Research report.”
To download the innovation research report and infographic or if you would like more information on the Philips South African Innovation Fellows Competition, visit www.innovationfellows.co.za.