Research Week 2020: 3rd Annual Advancing Science for Sustainable Development

Oct

13

2020

0

By moreen

Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) are major drivers of Socio-economic development. New ways of doing things effectively and concerted efforts, including multi-disciplinary approaches are necessary for the realisation of transformational impacts in society. Scholars have to play their role by articulating new ideas, information and how these can translate good socio-economic practices and services. Attainment of development goals through threatened by many factors including novel socio-economic conditions and resilience to disasters, which have multi-disciplinary dimensions, provide excellent opportunities for research engagement between wide spectrum of academic disciplines, experts and practitioners in addressing societal challenges.

Due to the current corona virus pandemic, we will this year hold our conference virtually, and participants will for the first time interact virtually. The university of Nairobi is therefore making all the necessary arrangements to make this conference deliver a unique experience to the participants.

This Conference, hosted by the College of Biological and Physical Sciences, will be held within the auspices of University of Nairobi Research week in October 2020, aims to discuss new ideas following advances in sciences and indicate how these can become good socio-economic practices which steer activities for attainment sustainable development goals and visions.

The conference also presents an opportunity for scholars, experts, practitioners, early career scientists, principal investigators and project partners in sciences and other disciplines to share their research findings in the form presentations, keynote addresses, and early results from ongoing initiatives. The conference will be fully online. Presentations/ papers can be oriented but not limited to the following sub-themes.

Overall Conference theme: Sciences and cross disciplinary research and practices transforming society for sustainable development.

Sub-themes:

Science, Technology and Innovation in Industry for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation.
- Start-Ups, SMEs; MSMEs and Spin-offs
- Science, technology and innovation for value addition and job creation
- Natural and artificial raw materials in industry
- Biotechnology and nanotechnology
- Statistical Quality control and acceptance sampling in industry
- Automation for improved industry
- Alternative sources of energy for development
- Science- Investment Partnerships for Training and Technology Transfer
- Climate Change Mitigation and Environmental Conservation
Accelerating sustainable Universal Health Care Through Advances in Scientific Research, Technology and Innovation
- Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) technologies. o Upcoming viral, bacterial and societal diseases
- Improved Diagnostic techniques
- Actuarial models for health insurance
- Models for disease prediction
- Geo-environment and health
- Advances in management and disposal of hazardous wastes
Promoting Collaborative Scientific Research, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Utilization of Natural Products.
- Advances in bio-materials for construction, fuel and biochemical production
- Green-housing technologies
- Indigenous knowledge, Traditional Health systems and natural products o Pharmacology and bio prospecting
- Sustainable environmental resource utilisation
- Biofuels and alternative energy sources versus food security
- Natural products in drug discovery
- Natural product chemistry -biology
- Patenting
- Climate change and natural products
Scientific Research, Technology and Innovations for Sustainable Food Production:
- Insects for food and feed
- Microorganisms in food production enhancement
- Advances in crop protection
- Monitoring, Early Warning Systems for Agriculture and Livestock
- Genetically Modified Foods and Crops
- Water for Food Security
- Rocks for Crops
- Alternative food sources for enhanced food security
- Climate Change and Smart Agriculture
Management of emerging physical calamities, diseases and pests
- Pest control -Locust, army worm, maize virus etc.
- Predicting and managing emerging and chronic calamities such as flooding, drought.
- Models for prediction of agricultural pest invasions.
- Control /management of emerging human diseases such as Ebola, COVID-2019.
Scientific Research Outputs and Applications from Disciplines (Basic Sciences):
- Mathematics (Biostatistics, Algebraic Geometry, Actuarial Sciences, among others)
- Meteorology
- Geology
- Climate Change
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Computer Science

Original contributions are welcome.

IMPORTANT DATES

July 31, 2020 Deadline for submission of Abstracts
August 15, 2020 Acceptance notification
September 30, 2020 October 5, 2020 – Conference Registration Deadline EXTENDED
September 30, 2020 Deadline for submission of full papers/extended abstracts.
Conference Dates 14th – 16th October 2020

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEES

Participants KES 2,000
Students KES 1,000

ABSTRACT PREPARATION

Abstract must bear the title, name of presenting author and co-authors, their affiliation details and the email of the presenting author. Abstract title should be limited to 25words and in UPPER CASE. Abstract text must be limited to 300 words or less. We recommend using word-processing software (for example, Ms Word) for editing your abstract and counting the number of words. Abstracts should include the following information:

Background and aims,
Methods, Key Results,
Conclusions with indication of how work can help to overcome real life challenges and lead to better practices for improved society.

EXTENDED ABSTRACTS: GUIDELINES FOR PREPARATION

The length of the extended abstract is 2–4 pages with a Title, Authors, Affiliation, Introduction, Results and Discussion, Methodology, Conclusion and References.
Title: Start on the top line. Use “Title Case” (capitalization of the first letter of major words), center, bold. • (Blank line) • Authors: Surname, and initials for other names; indicate in bold the presenter’s name. • (Blank line) • Affiliations: Judicious use of abbreviation is recommended. • (Blank line).
Page set up: A4; portrait; Margin, 1 inch on top, bottom, right and left; Justification. Select “justified.” • Paragraphs: Leave a blank line between paragraphs. •Line Spacing: 1.15. • Font: Times New Romans (12 pt). • Caption Figures (bottom) and Tables (top) • Reference style: APA 6th edition.

FULL PAPERS (TO AFRICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL SCIENCES (AJPS)).

To submit a full paper please download and use the AJPS template (See link to AJPS guidelines)

LOCAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE

Dr. Catherine Lukhoba, School of Biological Sciences (The Chair)
Dr. Joseph Mutemi, Department of Meteorology (Co-Chair)
Dr. Nelson Onyango, School of Mathematics
Dr. Outa George, Institute for Climate Change and Adaption

Dr. Wanjiku Ng’ang’a, School of Computing and Informatics
Dr. Josphat Mulwa, Department of Geology
Dr. Benard Kulohoma, Centre For Biotechnology and Bioinformatics
Dr. Rachel Sarguta, School of Mathematics
Prof. Leonida Kerubo, Department of Chemistry and Dean, School of Physical Sciences.
Prof. Bernard Aduda, Principal, College of Biological and Physical Sciences (Host)
Ms. Jackline Aput (Committee Secretary)