FIRST PAN AFRICAN INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH CONGRESS ON KNOWLEDGE GENERATION AND DISSEMINATION

Abstract

The decision to have an International Reserach Congress in Africa was hatched by five Vice-Chancellors during the 2nd UNIVEN – WSU International Research Conference held at The Ranch Hotel in Polokwane, South Africa on the 5th – 7th October 2016. The five Vice-Chancellors from the collaborating universities include: • Vice-Chancellor, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) – Professor Eng. Fredrick A. O. Otieno; • Vice-Chancellor and Principal (Acting), University of Venda (UNIVEN)– Professor Jan Crafford (then Professor Peter Mbati); • Vice-Chancellor, Walter Sisulu University (WSU) – Professor Rob Midgley; • Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan (UI) – Professor Abel I Olayinka; and • Vice-Chancellor, Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) – Professor Otlogetswe Totolo. During the deliberations, it was agreed that the five institutions have a rotational hosting of major activities. In my capacity as the Vice-Chancellor of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, in the spirit of Pan Africanism, I willingly offered to play host to the first congress. This maiden International Research Congress takes place from 18-22 June 2018 at the Grand Royal Swiss Hotel in Kisumu, Kenya. The Organising Committee is excited to see a mammoth gathering of scholars drawn from all types of disciplines under the theme “Harnessing Research Output for Sustainable Development” to address challenges affecting Africa. I am optimistic that this maiden Congress and future Conferences should give Africa a strategy for sustainable development.