Meru: Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) is gearing up to host an international conference from June 25-27, focusing on research-driven solutions for climate change mitigations and actions. Speaking during a pre-conference briefing, the University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Romanus Odhiambo, emphasized the conference’s role in fostering global collaborations in science, technology, and innovations for sustainable development.

According to Kenya News Agency, the theme of the conference is ‘Innovative Research for Community Empowerment addressing Global Challenges and Sustainable Livelihoods.’ Prof. Odhiambo highlighted the participation of individuals from Kenya, the East African Region, global academics, policymakers, and industry practitioners, all collaborating to develop solutions for climate-related and other global issues.

MUST is recognized as a regional leader in research, innovation incubations, and Internet Protocol commercialization in East Africa. Prof. Odhiambo noted the university’s strategic location near Meru National Park, mountains, and key infrastructure like Isiolo International Airport and the Lamu Port South Sudan and Ethiopia Transport corridor, positioning Kenya as a leader in conference tourism and knowledge exchange.

The conference aims to showcase groundbreaking research and innovations from MUST and its global partners. It seeks to foster cross-border collaborations in STEM education, climate access, and AI-enhanced digital transformations in various fields, including health, agriculture, and the environment. Another objective is to translate academic insights into policies and industry applications for societal impact.

Prof. Odhiambo stated that the conference aligns with the goals of sustainable development, Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and Kenya’s Vision 2030. Research highlights include the Kenya Open Telepathology Project, a digital cancer diagnostic tool, the Smart Agriculture Program focusing on precision agriculture, and initiatives from the Sanitation Research Institute and Miraa Research.

Keynote speakers at the conference will include Italian Ambassador to Kenya Roberto Natali, industrialist Dr. Narendra Raval Guru, and Prof. Michael Goodman from the University of Texas, among others.