Hanze East Africa Hub

The Biogas project is an overarching project name that includes several assignments from different schools within Hanze University of Applied Sciences focusing on different aspects of building and promoting bio-digesters in Tanzania.  

 
Students from the Communication and Multimedia Design programme developed communication tools to promote the building of Bio-digesters in Tanzania, focusing on approaching selected farmers through the communities (churches and schools) and organizing joint building days. At the same time, Business Administration students worked on the financial picture of building a bio-digester. For instance, they have calculated what it costs a farmer in Tanzania to set up and operate a biodigester. A new group of students is exploring the financial aspect further in the new semester.  

Moreover, we have a student from mechanical engineering working on the design of a bio-digester, a group from the teachers' college for primary education working on educational material for bio-digesters and two communication students are individually working on communicational issues regarding biogas.   

Fair and Sustainable Kenya (website)  consultancy offers young farmers In Kenya new opportunities in farming the Black Soldier Fly (BSF). BSF is rich in protein and used for both animal feed and human consumption.  
 
Students from the minor International Sustainable Entrepreneurship did research on alternative forms of financing for the Black Soldier Fly. Students from the Master International Communication are currently Developing narratives and communication strategies to embrace insect feed food and persuading strategies for impactful investors. 

HZPC (website) is a global company in potatoes and specialises in growing potatoes. They sell seed potatoes in Tanzania that can double yields and are resistant to common diseases. The company is located in the northern part of the Netherlands.  
 
Students from the Master International Communication have developed communication tools that can be used to improve the relationship between HZPC and Tanzanian buyers (local farmers) of seed potatoes. Students from Business Studies have looked at the financial challenges of potato producers in Tanzania and how these challenges can be influenced through working in cooperatives. 

PI Holding (website) plans to develop the first sustainable residential area in Iringa, Tanzania. The residential area will consist of sustainable buildings, with an associated energy supply.  

Students of the European Master Sustainable Energy System Management inventoried the annual energy consumption of the residential area. They then investigated how this demand could be met using sustainable energy technologies (solar, wind, biogas) and how much energy storage capacity this would require. 

Students from the Master Energy for Society developed concepts for the first energy-neutral residential area in Iringa, based on the annual energy demand of the residents. The concepts were based on the chosen area (ground & height differences), the activities of the residents, the current energy supply and the possibilities of replacing it with renewable energy solutions. 

Profyta or Green Valley Agro (website) is a seed breeding company based in Iringa, Tanzania.

Students from the Sensor Technology course worked on optimising sensors used in Profyta's greenhouses. The sensors measure temperature, humidity and other parameters that are important for crop growth. The client was so happy with the results in February and the students incredibly enthusiastic about working together, that the project has been extended. The students will now develop the sensors even further to ensure they can be used in Africa in the nearby future.