The Insurance Training College (ITC) has launched a Research and Innovation Hub aimed at helping the insurance industry turn research and new ideas into practical and commercially viable solutions.
The initiative seeks to bridge the gap between research, technology and the actual challenges facing insurance companies by creating a platform where insurers can present industry problems and collaborate with innovators to develop solutions.
ITC Principal Saul Sseremba said the launch was a step towards turning ideas generated at innovation conferences into practical action.
He described the hub as a way of “walking the talk” by creating a space where ideas can be tested, developed and translated into solutions that address real challenges in the insurance industry.
Samuel Sentumbwe, Manager, Research & Grants at ITC, said the hub will provide a platform for insurers to bring forward industry challenges and work with innovators to develop solutions.
The inaugural cohort will undergo a nine-month programme covering insurance, technology and innovation before being placed in insurance companies to apply their learning to real industry challenges.
The programme is designed to give participants hands-on experience in identifying challenges, exploring ideas and developing practical solutions within the insurance environment, moving them beyond classroom-based training.
The launch also highlighted the growing role of research and technology in shaping the future of the insurance industry.
The Guest of Honour, Joseph Lutwama, Director at FSD Uganda, challenged researchers to rethink the questions they ask and how they approach research.
Drawing from his passion for research, Lutwama said researchers should look beyond historical data, noting that relying solely on the past can limit their ability to identify emerging gaps and anticipate future needs.
He said research should therefore help stakeholders understand emerging challenges and prepare for future needs rather than focusing only on what has already happened.
Joseph Ndiho, Executive Director at Service Cops Uganda, said the organisation is supporting financial and digital inclusion through technology-driven solutions that make it easier for people to access and pay for services digitally.
Ndiho stressed the need for innovations to have a clear purpose, arguing that the focus should move beyond simply creating new technologies to developing solutions that can be commercialised and create meaningful impact in society.
Service Cops Uganda will partner with ITC to support the growth of the Research and Innovation Hub over the next five years.
The partnership is expected to strengthen the hub’s ability to connect research and innovation with industry needs and support the development of practical solutions for the insurance sector.
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