When universities unlock innovation, they don’t just educate — they transform economies and lives. At Biruni University, Sezgin Erzan and his team are building Biruni Teknopark into a next-generation hub for science, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. Their ambition: to position Biruni as a global model for entrepreneurial universities — one that units hospitals, research institutions, and …
Category Archives: Creativity
Robert Karanja: Villgro Africa and Biolinx Africa — Supporting Social Entrepreneurs and Advancing Healthcare in Africa
While working as a scientist, Robert realized that many scientists struggle to commercialize their ideas – leaving valuable research confined within university walls. In 2015, he co-founded Villgro Africa to change that. His mission: help innovators build viable and scalable health and life science solutions that improve quality of life for people across Africa. Impact So Far …
Pablo Santaeufemia, Bridge for Billions – Making Entrepreneurship Accessible to All
Pablo began with a humble start and a desire to make life better for those around him. His hard work earned him a scholarship to study mechanical engineering at Brown University. Inspired by his professors and friends, he developed a passion for Chinese culture, learned the language, and later worked in China and Thailand as …
Heather Beem, Practical Education Network – Enabling Every African Child to Learn by Doing
While pursuing her PhD in Mechanical Engineering at MIT, Heather Beem met Amy Smith, founder of D-Lab—an innovation hub focused on international development. Through D-Lab, Heather fell in love with STEM education and indigenous innovation. She went on to co-found and co-instruct D-Lab: Education. During a D-Lab trip to Ghana, Heather consistently heard one challenge:“No …
My journey to a Whole Food Plant-Based diet
Four weeks changed my life—and it all began with curiosity. Here’s how a Whole Food Plant-Based diet (WFPB) transformed not just my plate, but my energy and well-being. Late April I went to visit Sue, a good friend and amazing cook. She invited 3 other people and threw a ‘master cooking class’. We made a …
Continue reading “My journey to a Whole Food Plant-Based diet”
Bondad Simple
Tuve una llamada dificil y me siente abajo. Mi amiga, Lana* escuchome. En un rato, ella me trajo un helado de mamey (1) para animarme. No puedo comer helado hoy por mi periodo pero su accion me hizo sonreir y me ilumino. Unos dias despues, Lana fui con su mama para acompanar una prima quien …
Dia de Acion Gracias Diferente
Mina*, buena amiga de Lana*, invitionos a unir a su familia para un viaje en Tekis y Belen (La Pena), dos pueblos magicos. Ella rento una casa grande con jardin, cocina, y rancho. Fuimos 12 personas y 3 perros. Caminamos en Tekis, un pueblo con muchos colores de casas y flores. En centro, hay una …
Learning from Hackathon in Thailand
Reflecting the experience of hosting a hackathon in Thailand, many to be thankful and celebrated. Sharing 2 highlights: I’m grateful to be part to learn, contribute, and experience the hospitality and creativity of Thailand!
Reframe
When we get feedback, suggestions for improvement, what’s going on in our mind? We could feel ashamed (lacking), angry (defensive), or excited – what a great opportunity to grow! When we talk to smart, successful, and confident people, what’s going on in our mind? We could feel hesitated to speak up or excited – what …
Work Smarter than Harder
A friend asked me about hackathon: instead of explaining what it is, she encouraged me to walk her through the journey in a story, making it visual and memorable. I came up 3 characters, a participant, a mentor, and a judge and talked about their interactions. Well, it didn’t impress her, more accurately, it’s more …