From the department of Electronics and Computer Engineering there is; Alexander DC Mtambo, Wilson Kalambo and Clement Misomali while Moses Phika was studying Electrical Engineering.

According to the Polytechnic Design Studio Director and coordinator of the program, Brittany Allen, the program has been running for over three years now. The aim is to equip students with practical experience and exposure to the industry.

The program which is sponsored by Lemelson foundation in collaboration with Rice University is expected to extend to the next three years. 

Alexander DC Mtambo who is a computer software engineer expressed his excitement about the internship program, which is scheduled for eight weeks.

“This is an exchange program which concentrates on engineering students be it civil, electrical, mechanical as long as they have a flexible mind to adjust and learn new things,” he explained.

Out of the 12 who were shot listed, these four are the ones who were successful for the exchange program which targets African students in different African countries.

“Rice University is a biomedical set up, being a computer engineer I intend to gain experience in this field so that when I come back I should be able to use the skills to develop prototypes with the locally found resources,” Mtambo explained.

He further said that just by going to the USA on its own is good for exposure, mind opening, connections and interaction with people from different countries. 

Clement Misomali described this program as a rare opportunity that will not only help him to showcase his skills but also develop them, as far as biochemical engineering is concerned.

“I feel there is no better noble job than that which makes life easier than saving life. Rice University internship gives an offer that will help us support the health sector,” Misomali said.

Misomali concurred with Mtambo on looking forward to work with engineers from all walks of life in innovative projects which they say will give solutions to the healthcare problems in low resource settings back home.

They are expected to fly out on June 7, 2019.