International Conference on research and innovation kicks off in MKU
International Conference on research and innovation has gotten to a flying start at Mount Kenya University (MKU) main campus in Thika town yesterday morning even as the institution of higher learning continues to spearhead efforts to make the municipality a conference city in Central Kenya.
MKU and Vincent Pol University of Lublin, Poland are organizing the three-day 8th International Interdisciplinary and Inter-Universities Consortium –Africa Conference 2023. The forum, with more than 100 delegates attending in person or virtually, is being organized in collaboration with Kyambogo University of Uganda, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (Nigeria), University of Makeni (Sierra Leone) and Kenya’s University of Eldoret.
All the five African universities are members of the Inter-University Consortium Africa which is dedicated to the advancement of the theory and practices in knowledge and technological innovation. The annual conference rotates among the members of the five universities drawn from Kenya, Uganda, Sierra Leone, and now the organizing partner Vincent Pol University from Poland.
The three day meeting, which ends on March 31, is being held under the theme, Participatory Leadership, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer for Sustainable Economies. “Four hotels in Thika town (Paleo, Maxland, St Luke Cravers and Eton) have offered subsidised accommodation for our delegates and many other hotels are available in Thika town,” the conference’s chairman, Dry Henry Matich, Acting Principal, College of Graduate Studies and Research at MKU, said.
The conference has brought together stakeholders from academia, public and private sectors to discuss strategies to entrench peace, security and socio-economic development. “This conference is the first initiative of the re-branded and a more enhanced Inter-Universities Consortium-Africa in the post- COVID – 19 times,” said Dr Yatich.
Welcoming the delegates, the chief host, MKU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi said the conference has two categories of delegates, namely, online delegates and those who are physically at the institution’s Mwai Kibaki Convention Centre. He thanked members of the consortium for letting MKU to host this year’s meeting.
The VC said Vincent Pol has been MKU’s partner through the Erasmus programme for more than five years. “We are happy to have you all on board as we jointly strive to promote the United Nations SDGs 2030 and contribute towards reduced inequalities for the greater good of mankind in all our academic pursuit,” he added.
The Rector of Vincent Pol University, Prof Mariusz Korczyński, the desire to co-host the conference stems from his institution’s research and academic focus and shared similarities with MKU. Current students at the Polish institution are drawn from the Americas, Africa and Asia, as well as other European countries. “We aspire to break the border boundaries and work with like-minded institutions so as to promote acquisition of practical knowledge and skills required on the job market, preparing our learners for a fulfilling professional career,” he said.
MKU Pro-Chancellor, Dr Vincent Gaitho said the conference theme was advised by the need to provide solutions to challenges facing world economies. “The participatory leadership, innovation and knowledge transfer are seen as the tripartite panacea to these issues. The organizers have provided a platform to engage various stakeholders to interrogate on issues related to this theme,” he said.
He challenged the delegates and all researchers to continue focusing on research outputs that not only influence policy decisions but also solve the daily problems facing society. Thanking the organisers, Prof Oyawa said he was looking forward to next year’s conference to be held in Nigeria by Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.
MKU co-founder Dr Jane Nyutu welcomed the delegates on behalf of MKU Founder, Prof. Simon Gicharu and the board of directors and wished them a successive forum with useful findings. She said through teaching, research and community engagement has led to MKU’s award to serve for three years as the United Nations Academic Impact for SDG No. 10 on Reduced Inequalities.
The Vice-Chancellor, Kyambogo University, who is the out-going inter-universities Consortium Chairperson, Prof. Eli Katunguka, thanked all participants for sparing time and resources to attend the forum. “Guest Speaker, Prof. Dickson Andala, Chief Executive Officer of Kenya’s National Research Fund (NRF) said his institution is currently funding active research projects for seven members of faculty and four PhD students at MKU at a cost of Sh129 million. “Part of this funding is multidisciplinary and multi-institutional; we hope that these endeavors will continue growing so as to address the challenges of our times,” he added.
He implored the delegates and all researchers to seek and work with partners as this is a better way of engagement in research and collaboration initiatives. NRF is always ready to facilitate research for the advancement of science, technology and innovation,” he added.
An emotional Dr Yatich admitted he was humbled by the privilege to have chaired and led the planning and organization of the conference. “I wish to acknowledge and appreciate all the delegates drawn from Kenya, Uganda, USA, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Poland, Scotland, Estonia, United Kingdom and the MKU organizing team for making the conference happen,” he said.
By James Wakahiu
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