Be innovative in your approach to dealing with Kenya's social and economic transformation, these were remarks made by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaac Kibwage in his statement during the opening of Egerton University’s 14th Biennial International Research Conference on 23 March 2022.
The conference, organized through the Division of Research and Extension, brought together researchers, academics, students and other sector experts in various disciplines to a common forum, to share and exchange information, research outputs and products. The theme of the conference was “Research and Innovations for Resilience in a Changing Environment”.
“We are living during turbulent times. First, we had to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic and its adverse effects on the social and economic fabric of the country. The pandemic created an unprecedented crisis in the country. Poverty rates and inequalities as a result of job losses more than doubled. Most importantly, Kenya's economy took a hard hit, which has affected funding to public universities. Secondly, we are now experiencing the effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine that is negatively affecting our economy. Thirdly, we are grappling with the negative impact of climate change. Agriculture in Kenya is primarily rain-fed, and the effects are negatively affecting our crop potential and livestock yield. With all these happening, we have to be innovative in our approach to dealing with Kenya's social and economic transformation,” noted the Vice Chancellor Prof. Kibwage.
He added, “Underlying this theme is the acknowledgement that Science, Technology and Innovations are major drivers and enablers of social and economic transformation. Therefore, applying knowledge and innovation is necessary to attain sustainable economic growth and competitiveness under the prevailing circumstances,” said the VC Prof. Kibwage.
During the opening day of the conference that ran from 23 to 25 March, were keynote addresses delivered by the Chief Executive Officer, Kenya National Innovation Agency Dr. Tonny K. Omwansa and the Vice Chancellor of KCA University, Prof Isaiah I. C. Wakindiki. Dr Omwansa gave an address on Effective Research Innovations Framework for Sustainable Development while Prof Wakindiki’s address was on Sustainable agri-food systems: Greening smallholder agri-food value chains.
The Chairman of Council Amb. Dr Luka Hukka Wario, who was virtually following the proceedings, welcomed participants to adding that it was an opportunity for researchers and academicians to rethink, review, re-invent, learn from mistakes, incorporate new knowledge and expand the horizons of human knowledge.
During the event, participants presented papers under seven sub-themes namely: Transformative Agri-food Systems; Health Systems, Science and Technology; Innovations in Climate Change and Natural Resource Management; Transformative Education for Social-Economic Adaptability; Resilience and Ruptures in Governance and Geopolitics in Africa; Literature, History and Culture; Entrepreneurship, Business and Trade.
Day two keynote address was by Prof. Josphat Matasyoh from the Department of Chemistry and it was on The search for bioactive molecules for the control of human, animal and crop disease pathogens and vectors and the keynote speaker was Prof. Lize Kriel University of Pretoria, South Africa who presented a paper on Strangers in Mamabolo stories as captured in German Missionary Ethnography, Northern South Africa, C.1904 – 1934.
Day three keynote address was delivered by Ms. Jane W. Muriu from the Department of Water, Environment Energy & Natural Resources (Nakuru County) and it was on Nakuru County Environmental Related Strategies to Enhance Resilience and Sustainability of Natural Resources.
The acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Extension) Prof. Bockline Bebe gave the closing remarks on the final day of the conference. “The conference has been a success and I would like to acknowledge the participants and the guest scientists who delivered their keynote addresses. This event presented an opportunity to share innovative knowledge amongst our peers and the public as well,” said Prof. Bebe.
In his closing address, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Prof. Bernard Aduda lauded the organizers of the Conference for their inclusivity in the themes covered. “For, example, technologies and innovations fail when cultural attributes in specific markets/areas are not taken into account even at the design or launch stages. The diverse and rich topics/results/ideas presented in this conference, we anticipate, should have impact on the participants and society at large as this would be line with University’s motto of ‘Transforming Lives through Quality Education’. The feedback on the Conference you shared with us is appreciated and will definitely be useful when we plan the next biennial conference,” said Prof. Aduda.
During the conference, 98 papers were presented either orally or as posters. The conference attracted 1,053 attendees drawn from local and international universities, research institutions, county and national governments, local and international NGOs, and private sector organizations. Participants from 30 countries interacted with the conference website. The top 10 countries represented at the conference were Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, United States, South Africa, Rwanda, South Sudan and the United Kingdom.
At the opening ceremony, Professor Nancy Mungai who is the director for the Division of Research & Extension and also the coordinator for the conference, noted that the 14th Biennial International Conference attracted the highest number of participants, and the highest number of papers were presented under seven sub-themes; Transformative Agri Food Systems; Health Systems, Science and Technology; Innovations in Climate Change and Natural Resource Management; Literature, History and Culture; Transformative Education for Social-economic Adaptability; Entrepreneurship, Business and Trade, Governance and Geopolitics in Africa. She also noted and congratulated post graduate students who presented their papers and this shows the conference provides a good training platform for young scientists.
