As the Chairperson of the Congress Oversight Committee, I am grateful to note that the First Pan African Congress which was conceptualized in 2016 has become a reality.
There had been intensive planning sessions and I would like to express my profound gratitude to all members of the Organising Committee for their commitment to ensure that we have a successful Congress.
The decision to have an International Research Congress in Africa was hatched by five Vice-Chancellors during the 2nd UNIVEN – WSU International Research Conference held at The Ranch Hotel in Polokwane, South Africa on the 5th – 7th October 2016. The five Vice-Chancellors from the collaborating universities include:
• Vice-Chancellor, Masinde Muliro University of Science
and Technology (MMUST) – Professor Eng. Fredrick A. O.
Otieno;
• Vice-Chancellor and Principal (Acting), University of Venda
(UNIVEN)– Professor Jan Crafford (then Professor Peter
Mbati);
• Vice-Chancellor, Walter Sisulu University (WSU) – Professor
Rob Midgley;
• Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan (UI) – Professor
Abel I Olayinka; and
• Vice-Chancellor, Botswana International University of
Science and Technology (BIUST) – Professor Otlogetswe
Totolo.
During the deliberations, it was agreed that the five institutions have a rotational hosting of major activities. In my capacity as the Vice-Chancellor of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, in the spirit of Pan Africanism, I willingly offered to play host to the first congress.
This maiden International Research Congress takes place from 18-22 June 2018 at the Grand Royal Swiss Hotel in Kisumu, Kenya.
The Organising Committee is excited to see a mammoth gathering of scholars drawn from all types of disciplines under the theme “Harnessing Research Output for Sustainable Development” to address challenges affecting Africa. I am optimistic that this maiden Congress and future Conferences should give Africa a strategy for sustainable development.
Prof Eng. Frederick A. O. Otieno
Chairperson of the Congress Oversight Committee
