Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) is set to hold an international conference from June 25-27 this year, with the main focus being on research-driven solutions for climate change mitigations and actions.
Speaking during a pre-conference briefing, the University’s Vice Chancellor Prof. Romanus Odhiambo said the conference highlights the institution’s commitment to global collaborations in science, technology and innovations for sustainable development.
The theme of the conference is ‘Innovative Research for Community Empowerment addressing Global Challenges and Sustainable Livelihoods.’
“The main focus of this year’s conference is research solutions for climate change mitigations and actions. We are expecting people from Kenya, East African Region, global academics, policy makers as well as industry practitioners, who will help bring our minds together to come up with lasting solutions to climate-related as well as other global issues,” said Prof. Odhiambo.
He noted that MUST is a regional leader and at the forefront of research, innovation incubations and Internet Protocol (IP) commercialization in East Africa.
“We leverage our strategic directions and locations near the Meru National Park, mountains and Isiolo International Airport, as well as the Lamu Port South Sudan and Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor, to position Kenya as a leader in the conference tourism and knowledge exchange,” he said.
The objectives of the conference include showcasing groundbreaking research and innovations from MUST and global partners, fostering cross-border collaborations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, climate access and AI-enhanced digital transformations in the areas of health, agriculture, nursing, environment, among others.
The other objective includes translating academic insights into policies and industry applications for societal impact.
“Our international conference aligns directly with the mass mandate for sustainable development, Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), and the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), as well as Kenya’s Vision 2030,” said Prof. Odhiambo.
Some research highlights during the conference include Kenya Open Telepathology Project, which is an AI-enhanced digital cancer diagnostic tool developed at the institution, and the Smart Agriculture Program, including precision agriculture, where there will be use of data and automation for food security.
Others include the Sanitation Research Institute and Miraa Research, which basically focus on pharmacological value addition; the Institute of Cement and Concrete, which is developing sustainable construction materials; and the Hub Incubation Center, which supports prototyping and startups.
Some of the keynote speakers during the conference will include Italian Ambassador to Kenya Roberto Natali, industrialist Dr. Narendra Raval Guru, a renowned expert in the cement and steel industry, and Prof. Michael Goodman from the University of Texas, among others.
By Dickson Mwiti
