The Commission for University Education (CUE) invites you to participate in the 4th Biennial Conference on Universities Research and Innovation, taking place from June 12th to 14th, 2024 at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.

Conference Concept Note

Introduction
The 4th Biennial Conference on Universities Research & Innovation ignites a dynamic space for scholarly discourse and collaborative action. Convening from 12th to 14th June 2024, this landmark event transcends the realm of mere knowledge dissemination but serves as a potent catalyst for systemic societal transformation in Kenya.

Guided by the evocative theme "Catalyzing Systemic Social Transformation Through Research and Innovation" and the empowering tagline "Innovate, Collaborate, transform", the conference fosters a vibrant exchange of ideas between distinguished researchers, innovators, industry leaders, and engaged stakeholders. This diverse tapestry of expertise will dive into the rich array of applied research findings, experiences, achievements, and challenges across various disciplines.

Inspired by the Government's commitment to creating a digital superhighway as among the pillars of the BETA development plan, the conference holds a great promise in bridging the critical gap between knowledge creation and societal impact. It empowers universities to become powerful agents of change, actively contributing to meaningful national development. Extending its reach beyond the confines of academia, the conference welcomes not only practitioners in the higher education sector, but also government decision-makers, international partners, researchers, and students. This inclusive forum fosters cross-sectoral dialogue and collaborative action, paving the way for a brighter future for Kenya.

The 4th Biennial Conference on Universities Research & Innovation is not just an event; it's a movement. It's a call to action, urging us to harness the transformative power of research and innovation to build a more just, equitable, and prosperous society. Join us as we innovate, collaborate, and transform the world, one groundbreaking idea at a time.

Problem Statement

Rapidly evolving social, technological, and economic landscapes demand a paradigm shift in university education and research has left universities in a dilemma. While facing funding uncertainties, skills gaps, and employability of graduating students, Kenyan universities still hold immense potential to become powerful agents of transformation.  Despite progress, critical challenges impede its ability to fully catalyze research and innovation for societal and national development.

Research silos within and across universities create barriers to collaboration, hindering the development of comprehensive solutions and stifling the potential for groundbreaking discoveries. This fragmentation weakens the impact of research and limits its ability to address complex challenges effectively.

Further, limited global engagement and knowledge exchange restrict Kenyan universities' full potential. Actively engaging with international counterparts is crucial to share best practices, learn from diverse perspectives, and contribute to the global research landscape. Such collaboration fosters innovation, enhances research quality, and positions Kenya as a leader in knowledge creation and impact. Addressing these challenges is imperative to unlock the full potential of Kenyan research and innovation. This conference aims to act as a catalyst, fostering collaboration, bridging the gap between research and application, securing sustainable funding, aligning skills with industry needs, and promoting global engagement.

Objectives

1. To exhibit impactful research across diverse disciplines, highlighting Kenyan universities' contributions to addressing critical societal challenges.
   
2. To facilitate dialogue and knowledge exchange between universities, industry, and government stakeholders to drive collaborative research and innovation.
   
3. To benchmark Kenyan universities against international best practices to identify areas for improvement and inform future-oriented education reforms; and
   
4. To promote the dissemination and accessibility of research findings, inspiring the next generation of researchers and innovators.

Conference Theme and Sub Themes

The 4th Biennial Conference on Universities Research and Innovation will be guided by the theme: Catalyzing Systemic Social Transformation Through Research and Innovation.
The conference sub themes, and the areas of focus are as tabulated below:
Table 1: Sub Themes and Areas of Focus

Sub - Theme	Area of Focus
Future Proofing Universities: Preparing Graduates for the Workforce of Tomorrow	Adapting to Competency-Based Education (CBE): Exploring how universities can implement CBE effectively, including curriculum development, assessment methods, and faculty training.
	Bridging the Skills Gap: Analyzing skills mismatch between graduates and industry needs, fostering partnerships with employers to develop relevant curricula and training programs, and promoting career readiness skills.
	Benchmarking for Quality Enhancement: Learning from best practices of leading universities worldwide to enhance teaching, research, and student preparation for the future workforce.
Catalyzing the Research Ecosystem	Unlocking the research and innovation potential: Identifying and addressing challenges faced by universities in enhancing research capacity, including funding, infrastructure, and mentorship
	Sustainable University Funding Models: Exploring innovative funding models to ensure long-term financial sustainability and equitable access to education.
	Data driven decision making: Utilizing data analytics to improve research effectiveness, track progress, informed decision making and optimizing resource allocation.
Sustainable and Ethical Research	Promotion of research and innovation integrity and ethics: Fostering a culture of responsible research conduct through robust ethical frameworks, data management practices, and plagiarism prevention measures.
	Addressing sustainability in Research and Innovation: Exploring how research can contribute to environmental solutions, promoting sustainable research practices, and aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
	Social impact and responsible Research and Innovation: Ensuring research benefits society equitably, addressing ethical concerns of emerging technologies, and promoting responsible innovation practices.
Digital Superhighway and Creative Economy	Leveraging on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education: Examining the potential of AI to personalize learning, enhance teaching, and support student success, while addressing ethical considerations and responsible implementation.
	Developing digital skills for the creative economy
Research and Innovation Exhibition	High impact research and innovation exhibits
	Industry collaborations and commercialization exhibits/showcases

 

Conference Outcomes

We envision achieving this impact through the following key outcomes:

1. Shaping the Future of University Education: A comprehensive communique: outlining actionable policy, regulatory, and practice recommendations to inform the future of university education in Kenya. This document will address critical areas like curriculum reform, skills development, and sustainable funding models
2. Fostering Collaboration and Investment: Actionable collaboration strategies: for partnerships at local, regional, and global levels, designed to increase investment and mobilize resources for supporting high-quality research and innovation initiatives.
3. Enhancing Visibility and Impact: Increased visibility and recognition: of Kenyan university research and innovation on a global scale, showcasing the nation's intellectual prowess and potential.
4. Inspiring Future Generations: Empowering future generations: by proposing guidelines for universities to prepare students with future-oriented skills like critical thinking, creativity, digital literacy, and adaptability to thrive in the ever-evolving professional landscape.

 

Submission Guidelines for the Papers/Descriptions of Innovations and Exhibitions

Word count: Not more than 500 words for abstract, and for innovation/exhibition descriptions
Font:               Times New Roman, size 12, single spaced.
Language:      English
Format:           Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx).