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Technology Innovation for Sustainable Development

Klaus Schönenberger and Solomzi Makohliso

Technology innovation can be a great enabler for development in low and middle-income countries. This course presents a methodology and an approach to develop impactful innovations that have the power to foster sustainable development. The course proposes tools to help solve important issues that burden those living in poverty. Through practical examples, we will demonstrate how you can take your initiative from a blank sheet of paper through to large-scale deployment of your technology innovation.

This course is about coming up with an idea and taking it from concept to large-scale deployment.

It fosters an entrepreneurial approach, as you will learn how to design business models that are relevant to address development-related challenges. It encourages co-creating the solution with the key stakeholders involved, including the affected populations.Coming-up with solutions that are more affordable and more durable, that require less use of consumables and electricity while still being economically viable, concerns all of us, and not just the people living in poverty.

There is no previous knowledge required.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

Determine how contextual factors influence technology development and deployment.
Create innovative technologies that sustainably impact poverty.

Lead a technology innovation process -from initial concept to product scale-up- maximizing impact and minimizing risk.
Evaluate alternative business models for technologies intended to impact poverty.

Determine how contextual factors influence technology development and deployment.
Create innovative technologies that sustainably impact poverty.
Lead a technology innovation process -from initial concept to product scale-up- maximizing impact and minimizing risk.
Evaluate alternative business models for technologies intended to impact poverty.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Taught by Dr. Klaus Schönenberger and Mr. Solomzi Makohliso, who are recognized for their work in the topic that the course teaches

Examines a methodology and approach to develop impactful innovations that have the power to foster sustainable development

Strong fit with entrepreneurs and students interested in developing innovations for low and middle-income countries

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Technology Innovation for Sustainable Development with these activities:

Review Engineering Design

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Review the principles and process of engineering design to optimize your understanding of the course material.

Browse courses on Engineering Design

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Read articles and textbooks on engineering design principles.
Practice sketching and prototyping design concepts.
Review case studies of successful engineering designs.

Organize Course Materials

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Organize course notes, assignments, and resources to enhance your understanding and retention of the course material.

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Create a dedicated folder or notebook for course materials.
File and label materials according to topic or module.
Review and summarize key concepts from each lecture or reading.

Explore Online Technology Resources

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Expand your knowledge by exploring online tutorials and resources related to the course topics.

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Identify reputable websites or platforms offering tutorials on technology topics.
Select tutorials that cover concepts or skills relevant to the course.
Follow the tutorials and practice the concepts.

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Discuss Technology Case Studies

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Engage with peers to discuss real-world technology case studies, sharing insights and perspectives.

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Identify a relevant case study related to the course material.
Form a study group or join a discussion forum.
Prepare talking points and engage in a constructive discussion.

Solve Technology Problem-Solving Exercises

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Enhance your problem-solving abilities by working through technology-related exercises and challenges.

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Find online platforms or textbooks that offer problem-solving exercises.
Select exercises that challenge your understanding and skills.
Work through the exercises and verify your solutions.

Develop a Technology Solution Proposal

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Create a proposal outlining a technology solution for a real-world problem, applying the concepts learned in the course.

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Identify a problem or need that can be addressed with technology.
Research and analyze existing solutions or technologies.
Design and prototype a potential solution.
Write a proposal outlining the problem, solution, and potential impact.

Volunteer at a Local Technology Organization

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Gain practical experience and apply your knowledge by volunteering at a local technology organization.

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Research and identify relevant technology organizations.
Explore volunteer opportunities and select a role that aligns with your interests.
Participate in projects or activities that contribute to the organization's mission.

Design a Technology-Based Solution for Poverty

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Apply your learning to a real-world challenge by designing a technology-based solution for poverty reduction.

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Identify a specific poverty-related issue or challenge.
Research and analyze potential technology solutions.
Design and prototype your solution.
Create a presentation or report outlining your solution and its potential impact.

Career center

Learners who complete Technology Innovation for Sustainable Development will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Social Entrepreneur

Social Entrepreneurs are individuals who use business principles to solve social and environmental problems. This course may be useful for Social Entrepreneurs as it provides a methodology and approach for developing impactful innovations that have the power to foster sustainable development. The course also helps learners lead a technology innovation process from initial concept to product scale-up, which is essential for successful social enterprises.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Entrepreneur

International Development Professional

International Development Professionals work to improve the lives of people in developing countries. This course may be useful for International Development Professionals as it provides a methodology and approach for developing impactful innovations that have the power to foster sustainable development. The course also helps learners lead a technology innovation process from initial concept to product scale-up, which is essential for successful international development projects.

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Web Developer

Web Developers design and develop websites and web applications. This course may be useful for Web Developers as it provides a methodology and approach for developing impactful innovations that have the power to foster sustainable development. The course also helps learners lead a technology innovation process from initial concept to product scale-up, which is essential for successful web development projects.

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Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and delivery of new products and services. This course may be useful for Product Managers, particularly those working on products and services intended to impact poverty, as it provides a methodology and approach for developing impactful innovations that have the power to foster sustainable development. The course also helps learners lead a technology innovation process from initial concept to product scale-up, which is essential for successful product development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Computer Scientist

Computer Scientists design and develop computer systems and software. This course may be useful for Computer Scientists as it provides a methodology and approach for developing impactful innovations that have the power to foster sustainable development. The course also helps learners lead a technology innovation process from initial concept to product scale-up, which is essential for successful computer science projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Scientist

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers design and build machines and mechanical systems. This course may be useful for Mechanical Engineers as it provides a methodology and approach for developing impactful innovations that have the power to foster sustainable development. The course also helps learners lead a technology innovation process from initial concept to product scale-up, which is essential for successful mechanical engineering projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer

Materials Scientist

Materials Scientists develop and improve materials for various applications. This course may be useful for Materials Scientists as it provides a methodology and approach for developing impactful innovations that have the power to foster sustainable development. The course also helps learners lead a technology innovation process from initial concept to product scale-up, which is essential for successful materials science projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Materials Scientist

Data Scientist

Data Scientists collect, analyze, and interpret data to solve problems. This course may be useful for Data Scientists as it provides a methodology and approach for developing impactful innovations that have the power to foster sustainable development. The course also helps learners lead a technology innovation process from initial concept to product scale-up, which is essential for successful data science projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers design and implement solutions to environmental problems. This course may be useful for Environmental Engineers as it provides a methodology and approach for developing impactful innovations that have the power to foster sustainable development. The course also helps learners lead a technology innovation process from initial concept to product scale-up, which is essential for successful environmental engineering projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers design and construct infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, and buildings. This course may be useful for Civil Engineers as it provides a methodology and approach for developing impactful innovations that have the power to foster sustainable development. The course also helps learners lead a technology innovation process from initial concept to product scale-up, which is essential for successful civil engineering projects.

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Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers design and build electrical systems. This course may be useful for Electrical Engineers as it provides a methodology and approach for developing impactful innovations that have the power to foster sustainable development. The course also helps learners lead a technology innovation process from initial concept to product scale-up, which is essential for successful electrical engineering projects.

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Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers are responsible for the overall operation and management of nonprofit organizations. This course may be useful for Nonprofit Managers as it provides a methodology and approach for developing impactful innovations that have the power to foster sustainable development. The course also helps learners lead a technology innovation process from initial concept to product scale-up, which is essential for successful nonprofit organizations.

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Chemical Engineer

Chemical Engineers design and build chemical plants and processes. This course may be useful for Chemical Engineers as it provides a methodology and approach for developing impactful innovations that have the power to foster sustainable development. The course also helps learners lead a technology innovation process from initial concept to product scale-up, which is essential for successful chemical engineering projects.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. This course may be useful for Software Engineers as it provides a methodology and approach for developing impactful innovations that have the power to foster sustainable development. The course also helps learners lead a technology innovation process from initial concept to product scale-up, which is essential for successful software engineering projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Sustainability Analyst

Sustainability Analysts collaborate with business and operational leaders to integrate sustainability into the company's strategy, operations, and reporting. This course may be useful for Sustainability Analysts as it fosters an entrepreneurial approach to solving sustainability challenges and encourages co-creating solutions with key stakeholders, including affected populations. The course also helps learners evaluate alternative business models, which can be essential for developing sustainable and profitable technologies and practices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Analyst

Reading list

We've selected 20 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Technology Innovation for Sustainable Development.

The Disruptive Innovation Set (2 Books)

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Provides a framework for understanding why large, successful companies often fail to innovate and why new, disruptive technologies often succeed.

Technology Innovation for Sustainable Development

What's inside

Learning objectives

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Activities

Career center

Reading list

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