DAAD ALUMNI FAMILY DURING 1ST MACHAKOS UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
To promote research and provide a platform for knowledge sharing, Machakos University held 1st international conference from 17th to 19th April 2018 with the theme “Harnessing Scientific Research, Innovation, and Technology for Sustainable Development”, and the following sub-themes:
- Agriculture, Food Security, and Agribusiness for Community Transformation;
- Transformative Development through Language, Culture and Communication Technology;
- Innovative Approaches to Education and Training for Sustainable Development;
- Business and Innovative Approaches for Small and Medium Enterprise Development and
- Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation for Industrial Transformation.
Conference delegates following the proceedings
DAAD was one of the major sponsors of the conference, which attracted 200 delegates from 9 countries. With the sponsorship, the conference organizers were able to cater for the participation of two DAAD alumni in the positions of key note and guest speakers, besides catering for other 15 DAAD alumni who participated as delegates. In this way, DAAD presented an opportunity for 17 DAAD alumni to link up, share their experiences and establish new networks, as well as an opportunity for the launch of the KDSA Machakos University chapter.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof Lucy Irungu made her opening remarks, welcomed participants to the conference and urged them to establish networks towards possible future partnerships.
Prof. Ntiba (Permanent Secretary, State Department of University Education), represented the Chief Guest, Hon. Amb. Dr. Amina Mohammed, and in his remarks highlighted on the need for paradigm shift to product-oriented research; an avenue through which universities can offer practical solutions to societal challenges. He encouraged researchers to always ask themselves the question “so what”, in order to identify what contribution, the research has made to the society.
Prof. Hamadi Boga (Permanent Secretary, State Department of Agricultural Research) in his key note speech emphasized on the importance of research and innovation as enablers of socio-economic development. He reiterated on the need for increased funding for research in order to meet local and global targets.
Due to the negative impacts resulting from use of fossil fuels there is need for increased research in solar energy as an alternative source of energy. To address, Prof. Dejene (DAAD alumni) introduced the concept of thin film based solar energy as possible candidate for achieving drastic improvement in photovoltaic energy conversion efficiency. In the area of environmental remediation and water purification, antibody mimics, which provide high selectivity were presented as good candidates for selective removal of pollutants in water treatment, purification of drinking water and rapid detection of environmental pollutants for protection of human health.