Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) to hold the 17th Annual Research Dissemination Conference on 22nd March, 2023

The Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT) announces that it will be hosting the 17th MUST Annual Research Dissemination Conference (ARDC), on Wednesday 22nd March, 2023, under the theme: “Maximization of Research Translation and Evidence-based Practice in Science, Technology and Community Development”.

This year’s conference shall be preceded by a one-day internal PhD Symposium on 21st March 2023.

The conference will bring together MUST researchers, collaborators, partners and other stakeholders to share experiences, disseminate their findings as they explore new frontiers towards sustainable and transformative interdisciplinary research and innovations.

By sharing the experiences, they continue to find new ways on how communities can leverage on science and technology outputs.

The research oral presentation sessions will include Medicine, Allied Health Sciences, Basic and Applied Sciences, Engineering, Computing, Business Management and Humanities.

• Sub-Themes:
  1. Basic, Clinical, and Translational Health Sciences
  2. Advances in Technology and Innovations
  3. Climate Change Risk, Response, Policy, and Programming
  4. Higher Education Service Learning – Conceptualization, Practices, and Quality Assurance
  5. Health Systems and Population Health
  6. Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion – Emerging Issues
• 7. Agriculture – Productivity, Innovations, and Livelihoods
  8. Economics and Business Development
  9. Covid-19 and other Pandemics – response, preparedness, and effects

Conference objectives
1. To present the positioning of transformative research and innovation in the
changing world
2. To interrogate research and technological innovation approaches applicable for the new digital era
3. To explore new frontiers towards multidisciplinary research for sustainable
development.

Conference Justification
Tackling today’s global changes and their challenges requires harnessing the
results of scientific research through innovative approaches to lifelong learning and sustainable community development.

This calls for local community valorization through research, implementation of research outputs and sensitization.
Social innovation is one of the recent concepts that deals with development of
solutions to societal problems including inequalities and rights.

The recent COVID 19 pandemic and the ensuing challenges and opportunities have led to initiatives aiming at community well-being, quality health care, education, business and environmental management.

The health care sector faces forces of rapid digitization, a greater prevalence of chronic diseases, and more informed and connected consumers. Climate change remains a threat to species, management of natural resources, and sustainable food production and safety.

The need for quality and inclusive education is essential in fostering lifelong learning and generation of human capital for sustainable development.

In line with the MUST vision: “To be a Centre of Academic and Professional Excellence in Science and Technology”; the conference furthers the strategic positioning of Researchers in promoting community transformation and sustainable development in this changing times.

Conference Expected Outcome
i. Initiating the process that provides students, faculty and the University the
zeal to conduct research and disseminate the outputs.
ii. Creating awareness of the existing research opportunities and innovations
for the changing times.
iii. Inspiration to write grants that address societal challenges and needs.
iv. Developing a sense of teamwork, collaboration and networks in in research
and innovation.

Acquisition of targeted soft skills by oral presentation and exposure by
faculty and students.

Submission Guidelines
Abstract:
1. Abstracts not exceeding 200 words in MS word document (submit soft copy).
2. Provide authors’ first name followed by last name, institutional
affiliation/addresses, email address and phone number. Corresponding author
must be indicated. Presenting author’s names should be bolded.
3. Abstract should have a title and should be written as one paragraph but must include the title, problem, objective, methods, results, conclusion and major recommendation from the research done
4. Title should be short and clear (not more than 20 words)
5. Abstract should have key words (not more than 5) in alphabetical order
6. Format: Times New Roman, font size 12 with 1.5 spacing.
7. Abstracts should be submitted to the organizing conference chair, through
https://www.must.ac.ug/17ardc/