STUDENTS studying Chemical Technology at Bindura University
of Science Education (BUSE) have invented an anti-alopecia cream that reverses
baldness as local tertiary institutions continue to innovate to meet the
growing needs of the communities and economy.
The cream was among a number of inventions that
universities were displaying at their stands at the Zimbabwe International
Trade Fair that ended in Bulawayo yesterday.
In an interview, a lecturer from BUSE, Mr Admire Hardlife
Rambwawasvika said the students realised there were a lot of hair products on
the market but few were addressing the issue related to baldness.
“What led to the innovation of this cream was the
realisation that there are a lot of hair products that have been produced but
all of them have the same effect but this one is different because it reverses
baldness and also helps people undergoing chemotherapy to grow back their hair.
“We are the only university in Africa which has managed to
invent such a product.
“All the products created by BUSE students are from plants
because we are trying by all means to produce products that are environmentally
friendly.
The university is in the process of acquiring a licence
from the Medical Research Council (MRC) to try the product on humans, after
successful experiments on animals.
Midlands State University also displayed a seed ball which
is meant to help in reforesting Chimanimani area whose trees were swept away by
Cyclone Idai.
The seed ball is just dry clay with a seed inside in order
to avoid birds from eating the seed before it germinates.
The seed ball can also protect the seed and keep it safe in
the soil until the next rainy season.
“We as a university try by all means not to crush any
innovation ideas that students come up with but we nurture them until they are
mature,” said Mr Marvelous Anesu Nyongoro, a lecturer at the institution.
A final year Chemical Engineering student at the National
University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo Miss Rutendo Musharo also
invented an anti-bacterial soap from paw-paw peels called the Papine soap.
“What makes my innovation different is that this soap does
not contain any sulphates that cause irritation to the scalp, skin and eye,”
said Miss Musharo. Sunday News
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