Participants at the Conference on the second day.
Researchers at the ongoing 17 International Multi-Disciplinary Conference have revealed that fostering global scientific collaboration is the solution to bridging the 'yawning' gap in African research capacity. This was during the second day of this exciting conference hosted at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.
While presenting his keynote address, Prof. Titus Msagati, a scholar from South Africa, pointed out that the application of Science and Technology is a fundamental factor influencing economic development. According to Prof. Msagati, addressing capacity development challenges in Africa using a catalytic approach will enhance private sector and civil society contributions to sustainable development and Leverage knowledge to increase development effectiveness. He challenged researchers in Africa to tackle the paradox of the increasing number of Universities against research outputs.
Facilitators at the conference.
“All nations in the world today that are regarded as developed, boast of several scientific and technological inventions which make them be rated as developed powers. Therefore, Science, Technology, and Innovation are the hinge of any nation’s development. Indeed fostering global Scientific collaborations is the pivot for tackling the world’s most pressing challenge,” said Prof. Msagati.
Speaking at the International conference, another keynote speaker, Prof. Kennedy Otwombe who discussed ‘Current Trends in Health Care Systems and Biomedical Sciences for Sustainable Development,’ stated that harnessing the potential of technological advancements, interdisciplinary collaboration, and policy initiatives will accelerate progress towards achieving SDGs and improving the health outcomes.
MMUST staff at the conference.
“Investing in translational research bridges the gap between scientific discovery and clinical application. Research collaboration accelerates the translation of research findings into communities. To build Indigenous Expertise among community members, investing in health care and biomedical sciences is necessary.
Other notable presentations included ‘Food Preference and Survival Rates of Macrotermes jeanneli (Isoptera: Termitidea)’ by Makila N. Jacob, Elizabeth Omukunda; ‘Genetic Characterization of Moringa Oleifera Provenances from Coastal Kenya Region’ by Sarah Kwamboka Ondieki, Carol W. Hunja, Jackson C. Korir; ‘Application of South African Heulandite (HEU) Zeolite for the Removal of Lead(II) and Cadmium(II) ions from Aqueous Solution: Experimental and Computational Study, by Fred Wanyonyi, Francis Orata, Gershom Mutua, Michael Odey, Sizwe Zamisa, Sopuruchukwu Ogbodo, Francis Maingi, Hitler Louis, Anthony M.S Pembere; ‘The Critical Magnetic Field and Current Density of an Entangled Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide Superconductor Using Ginzburg- Landau Theory’ by Moses Kundu, Rapando Wakhu, Ndinya Bonface; ‘Anopheles Mosquito Species Composition and
Abundance in Mumias Sub-County, Kakamega County’ by Ayuya Stephen, Annet Busula and Elizabeth Omukunda; ‘Response Surface Methodology Directed Modeling of the Bio sorption of Progesterone onto Acid-activated Moringa Oleifera Seed Biomass: Parameters and Mechanisms’ by Emily Ngeno, Roselyn Ongulu, Victor Shikuku, Deo Ssentongo, Benton Otieno, Patrick Ssebugere, Francis Orata; ‘Mesoporous Adsorbents Immobilized with Schiff Base Ligands for Heavy Metal Extraction from Aqueous Solution’ by George Nyamato, Ian Kabogo; ‘Towards a Digital Health Information Framework for Essential Medicine Supply Chain Management in Public Healthcare Facilities, Kenya’ by Robert Mugubi Nalebe, George Odhiambo-Otieno, Caroline Kawila Kyalo; ‘Haematological Changes in Newly Diagnosed Pulmonary Tuberculosis Initiated on Standard Anti-TB Treatment Regimen at Kakamega County General Hospital’ by Edwin Mwilitsa, Evans Raballah, Sammy Kimoloi; ‘Opsonophagocytic Activity of a Ca2+- Independent, Glcnac-specific Agglutinin Isolated from the Serum of Marine Crab Scylla serrata (forskal)’ by Ogutu Philip Ariya; ‘Tunga penetrans Induces Elevated Cytokines and Antibodies with Increase in Leukocyte and Consequent Anaemia in Guinea Pigs (Cavia porcellus)’ by Janet Tarus, Jackson Cheruiyot, Dennis Ochieno, Maurice Omolo, Kiprotich Kelvin, Nicholas Kitungulu, John Muoma; ‘Bio-Prospecting for Anti Jigger Compounds in Leaves of Selected Medicinal Plants of Solanaceae Family’ by Vitman Wafula, Joseph Owino, Maurice Omolo; ‘Efficacy in Protection Index of Cyclonically Draughted 35-60 kHz Odorrana tormota Sound Against Mated Female Anopheles gambiae, Malaria Vector’ by Mang’are P. A; ‘The Nesting Ecology, Habitats and Behaviour of Meliponula
becarii Stingless Bee Species in Baringo County, Kenya’ by Timothy Bett, Humphrey Agevi, Sammy Kimoloi; ‘Abundance and Diversity of Pollinator and their Influence on Vegetable Yield in Relation to Landscape Structure on Smallholder Farms in Kakamega, Kenya’ by John Manyengo, Vitalis Ogema, Beatrice Salasya, and Elizabeth Omukunda; and ‘Estimation of the Infected Susceptible parameter Model and State Transition probabilities of Cholera using the Bayesian Approach in Prison Inmates Population’ by Bichanga L. A., Nyongesa K. L., Okoth A.W, Wesonga B.
The significant number of international participants in this year’s Multi-Disciplinary Conference is evidence that MMUST is already on its way to bridging the gap in research capacities among its scholars. Certainly, MMUST is among the front runners in research capacity development.
By Dr. Lydia Anyonje and Linet Owuor
Photos by Shiundu Masafu
