CALL FOR ABSTRACTS FOR THE 16TH CONFERENCE 2026

Empowering Change: Advancing Sustainable, Inclusive, and Resilient Global Societies through Agriculture, Education, Science, Technology and Innovation.

Preamble

Egerton University and the County Government of Nakuru jointly announce the 16^th Biennial International Conference to be held from17th to 19th March 2026. This will be Egerton University’s 16^th edition of the conference and brings together academia, researchers, practitioners and industry experts in various fields to a common forum. The Conference is organized and hosted by the Directorate of Research and Extension in collaboration with the County Government of Nakuru. Previous editions have attracted over 700 participants. The aim of the conference is to provide a platform for participants to share their experiences and research findings, deliberate and exchange innovative cutting-edge development ideas, concepts and actions. 

The conference will be blended (virtual and face-to-face). The theme of the conference is Empowering Change: Advancing Sustainable, Inclusive, and Resilient Global Societies through Agriculture, Education, Science, Technology and Innovation. The conference will entail keynote speeches, paper presentations, interactive panel discussions, question and answer sessions and exhibitions. The conference provides a platform for academia, researchers and practitioners to provide solutions to societal challenges. Contemporary societies face disruptive and uncertain times hence the need to build resilience and foster a sucessful future through conducting research, developing innovations and technologies. Underlying this theme is the acknowledgment that Science, Technology and Innovation are the leading forces for Agriculture, Environmental, Health, Economic and Social Transformation.

Authors have opportunities to address this broad theme under ten sub themes:

1. Sub-Theme 1: Agriculture, agribusiness, food and nutrition security

Strengthening emerging technologies, innovations and partnerships for efficient, inclusive and  sustainable Agri-Food systems

The global food system from farm to fork is facing dramatic changes. Food production has evolved from a predominantly local effort to meet the nutritional needs of small communities to the ones dominated by sophisticated supply chains that span the globe. This sub-theme focuses on exploring transformative solutions to the complex challenges facing agri-food systems. It emphasizes the development and implementation of innovative approaches that prioritize inclusivity, foster multi-stakeholder partnerships, and leverage cutting-edge technologies to enhance food security and sustainability. By integrating diverse perspectives and expertise, this sub-theme aims to identify and promote strategies that ensure equitable access to resources, strengthen resilience against environmental and economic shocks, and support the transition towards more sustainable and efficient agri-food systems.​ The key focus areas for this subtheme are: Inclusive Innovation: Developing and scaling agricultural innovations that are accessible and beneficial to all stakeholders, including marginalized and smallholder farmers, to promote equitable growth within the agri-food sector. Strategic Partnerships: Building and strengthening collaborations among governments, private sector entities, research institutions, and civil society to co-create solutions that address systemic challenges in agri-food systems. ​Sustainable Practices: Implementing practices that enhance the sustainability of food production and distribution, such as climate-smart agriculture, resource-efficient technologies, and circular economy models. Technological Advancements: Leveraging emerging technologies, including digital tools and biotechnology, to improve productivity, reduce waste, and increase the resilience of agri-food systems. ​Policy and Governance: Developing policies and regulatory frameworks that support innovation, facilitate effective partnerships, and ensure that advancements contribute to food security and environmental sustainability. ​This sub-theme aims to foster dialogue and action among researchers, students, academia, indusrty, private sector player, non-govermental organizations, government institutions among other stakeholders to drive the transformation of agri-food systems through innovative solutions and collaborative efforts, ultimately contributing to global food security and sustainable development.​

1. Sub-theme 2: Environment and Resources Development

Community driven innovative adaptation Strategies for Environmental health and Sustainable resource management in the context of Climate change.

The environmental aspect is based on the contribution of circular economy towards addressing climate change issues. Circular economy involves reduced material extraction and production, waste reduction and diversion, resource conservation, waste management. Thus, the theme looks at; Human settlements and sustainable livelihood systems; developing innovative adaptation strategies for vulnerable communities, Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in the face of climate change; integrating technology in environmental and health resilience, climate change and development, promoting environmental entrepreneurship, ecosystem based approaches to conservation and restoration and ecological health, challenges and opportunities of transitioning of renewable energy, resource conflicts, environmental justice and human rights.

1. Sub-theme 3: Engineering, Mathematics, Physics and Computing

Synergizing Engineering, Mathematics and Computing for Sustainable Solutions.

The increasing complexity of modern challenges presents unique opportunities for Engineers, mathematicians, Physists and computing professionals to research, develop, and model innovative, sustainable, and adaptive solutions. Engineers play a vital role in designing resilient infrastructure, advancing renewable energy systems, optimizing resource utilization, and promoting circular economy models. The convergence of engineering, mathematics, material science and computing accelerates the realization of these solutions. This sub-theme explores the dynamic intersection of engineering, computational tools, and mathematical modeling to collaboratively drive innovation through groundbreaking technologies, sustainable construction materials, efficient systems design, and intelligent automation. It emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in simulations, data-driven decision-making, artificial intelligence, and systems optimization. By fostering knowledge exchange and innovation, this discussion aims to highlight the transformative role of integrated disciplines in engineering sustainable systems, enhancing efficiency, and developing adaptive solutions that address emerging global and local problems.

1. Sub-theme 4: Education, psychology and community

Unlocking Potential for all: Fostering 21st Century Competencies and Skills through Inclusivity and Technology-Enhanced Education.

The 21st century demands a fundamental shift in education that equips all learners whether in the classroom or in the community with essential competencies and skills. The Education Sub-theme "Fostering 21st Century Competencies and Skills through Inclusivity and Technology-Enhanced Education," directly addresses this imperative by emphasizing intersection of three fundamental pillars: cultivating essential 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication; ensuring equitable and inclusive educational opportunities for every learner, regardless of background or ability; and strategically integrating technology to enhance learning experiences and bridge existing gaps. The cultivation of vital 21st-century skills and digital literacy must be accessible to every learner, regardless of their background or learning style. It is therefore important to explore practical strategies and innovative approaches that create truly inclusive learning environments where diverse needs are not only met but celebrated. It is also important to look at the transformative power of technology including Artificial Intelligence as a catalyst for enhancing learning experiences and bridging achievement gaps. The role of AI in promoting inclusivity by providing individualized support, assistive technologies, and data-driven insights to cater for diverse learning needs cannot be ignored. Further, ethical ways to integrate technology to deepen understanding, foster engagement, and cultivate essential skills for all learners’, need to be considered. This conference sub theme will aim to explore practical strategies, share best practices, and engage in meaningful dialogue on how to collectively foster 21st-century competencies and skills through a commitment to inclusivity and the thoughtful application of technology. The sub theme will also explore on how educators, researchers, policymakers and technology developers can collaborate to harness AI and technology in building an inclusive and future-ready education systems to empower every learner to reach their full potential and thrive in the 21st century.

1. Sub-theme 5: Medicine and Human Health

 Harnessing technology and innovation  for Preparedness, timely Response,  disease Surveillance and Health systems financing for improved Health and well-being.

The world health organization (WHO) goal is to ensure that a billion more people have universal health coverage, protect a billion more people from health emergencies, and provide a further billion people with better health and well-being. A major gap identified in Health care is timely, accurate, and systematic data on infections, deaths, viral variants, and health system responses. In todays interconnected world, safeguarding global health security is vital for maintaining public health and economic well-being of any nation. Emergency preparedness is considered key in controlling emerging public health challenges at both national as well as international levels including neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Additionally predictive information systems based on routine surveillance, that leverage appropriate technologies, disease modelling and forecasting play an important role in both response and policy formulation. An efficient and reliable health system requires investing in prevention, preparedness and timely forecasts in order to mobilize swift and effective public health responses and mitigation efforts. The key focus of this sub-theme include the various aspects of emergency preparedness with special emphasis on public health surveillance, nutrition surveillance, epidemiological modelling, Health system financing, Health systems research, leadership and governance in Health and capacity building approaches for better human resource. This sub-theme calls for dialogue and action among researchers, academia, private sector players, and all the stakeholders in reimaging the health sector which leverages information technology in all the pillars of health for better health service delivery towards the achievement of the 3^rd sustainable development Goal.

1. Subtheme 6: History, Geopolitics, Philosophy and linguistics

Transformative Literature, Culture, History, Indigenous knowledge, Creativity and communication

This sub theme emphasizes the power of historical narratives and cultural practices to shape individual and societal transformation. It highlights how literature, cultural expression, and history, when viewed through the lens of indigenous knowledge and creativity, can foster understanding, promote social change and empower communities.  The areas of focus include: The impact of artificial intelligence on critical thinking: Artificial Intelligence has significantly transformed our world, and simplifying daily tasks. While the benefits of AI are undeniable, there is a growing concern that this advanced technology may be inadvertently stifling human creativity and critical thinking skills. As AI becomes more integrated into various aspects of our lives, it prompts important questions about the potential consequences of relying too heavily on machines to perform cognitive tasks that were once the exclusive domain of humans. Language and Identity in a Globalized World: A person's language choices, including accent, dialect, and vocabulary, can reflect and shape their personal and social identities. Furthermore, language can serve as a vehicle for expressing and preserving cultural and group identities. Losing a language, or the ability to use it effectively, can also impact a person's sense of self. Rethinking Media and Communication in the Era of Al: It is believed that the way in which media speak about emerging technologies can influence the public perception of their benefits and risks. Risk statements highlight the possible negative effects, real or imaginary, that a particular event could have on audiences. Just as journalism varies over space and time, what is considered a risk is deeply rooted in specific social, economic, and technological contexts. Literature, Culture, and Creativity in an AI-Influenced World: The role of AI may not replace human writers, but rather redefine how stories are crafted and consumed. Therefore, the potential for AI to contribute to Literature depends on how it is integrated into the creative process. Traditional and indigenous knowledge: Should recognize its crucial role in cultural identity, sustainable practices, and community wellbeing, emphasizing its importance for safeguarding the rights of indigenous peoples and promoting equitable access and benefit- sharing. It should also acknowledge the dynamic nature of this knowledge and the need for its preservation and revitalization.

1. Sub-theme 7: Life Sciences : Research for life and livelihoods

Reclaiming the place of Biological Sciences, Biochemistry and Chemistry for supporting life and livelihoods

SDG 14 (Life below water) and SDG 15 (Life on land) underscores the critical importance of biodiversity as humanity’s life-support system. Yet, the relentless depletion of forests, coupled with an alarming rate of species extinction and stagnation in safeguarding key biodiversity areas, jeopardizes the delicate balance of our ecosystems. To address the pressing global environmental challenges and crises, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, as well as desertification, land and soil degradation, drought and deforestation, it is imperative to intensify efforts in fulfilling our global environmental and biodiversity commitments. The global challenges facing the society in the 21^st Century require solutions based on pure and applied Biological Sciences, Integrated Biosystems, Biochemistry, Chemistry and Biosecurity research key to mitigating species extinctions, biodiversity reduction, diseases, food insecurity, nutritional insecurity, poverty and climate change. This sub-theme encompasses topics related to Biodiversity conservation, Plant and Animal biochemistry, Physical, inorganic, organic chemistry, natural products discovery, Bioprospecting and bio manufacturing research outputs.

1. Sub-theme 8: Social economics and gender

Re-Thinking the Role of Social Science in providing solutions to Contemporary Societal challenges in a digital age

The contemporary society faces a myriad and a new set of challenges that are not only global, but continental and national in nature. These contemporary challenges include; various forms of vulnerability (social, economic and climate induced shocks) gender and gender based violence, social inequalities. Further, the sub-theme will examine the emerging challenges in the responding and managing crime.

This sub theme will seek to open academic debate and critical enquiry into the role of the social science in addressing these social challenges of the contemporary society with a view to contributing to the realization of the Sustainable development Goals and also grounding the future practice of social science. This Sub-theme will focus on; Gender and Gender Based Violence: This will focus on a sociological and criminological examination of the role of emerging technology including AI, dual role of digital tools in Gender and GBV. The examination will include but not limited to Technology Facilitated Gender Based Violence (TFGBV), Triple Threat, Femicide, Child Protection/safeguarding, Social Norms and systemic power structures among others. Social Protection: The modern society faces unexpected shocks such as the one witnessed in the early part of the 2025 due to the US Defunding, protracted political and socioeconomic crisis. The consequences of these shocks have been more pronounced in low and middle income countries. There have been strides towards mitigating the shocks, however, social inequalities persist and 1.6 billion people in need of social protection remain uncovered (The World Bank, 2025). This sub section will examine the policy framework for social protection, strengthening social protection mechanism and the challenges. Technology and the future Criminology: This will focus on emerging forms of crime, threat of terrorism, tech including AI and other forms of online Crime, evidence gathering in the age of AI and proof of crime. Youth and Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC). Youth are not only critical driver of innovation, buts also an avenue towards realization of Kenya’s Vision 2023 and sustainable development. In addition, the youth have been at the fore front of varied sexual orientations. This component will examine, youth, sexual orientation and inclusion in development planning.

1. Sub-Theme 9: Commerce and Business Management

Leveraging Digital Transformation, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships for Sustainable and Inclusive Business Practices.

The global commerce landscape is undergoing significant transformation driven by technological advancements, changing market dynamics, and evolving consumer expectations. The shift towards digitalization, automation, and data-driven decision-making is reshaping industries, from finance and marketing to procurement and human resources. This sub-theme focuses on exploring innovative strategies to tackle the complex challenges within business sectors, emphasizing the integration of technology, collaboration, and sustainability. It encourages the development of inclusive and resilient business models that not only drive growth but also address societal needs, promoting long-term sustainability and equitable outcomes for all stakeholders. By prioritizing digital innovation, fostering strategic partnerships, and focusing on sustainable business practices, this sub-theme aims to create solutions that empower businesses to navigate challenges, respond to market shifts, and thrive in the competitive global economy.

The key focus areas for this sub-theme are: Digital Transformation, Inclusive Innovation, Strategic Partnerships and Collaboration, Sustainability and Ethical Practices, Financial Literacy, Policy Governance and Regulation. This sub-theme encourages a conversation and collaboration among business leaders, policymakers, academics, and other stakeholders to foster innovation and sustainability in the commerce sector. By addressing the evolving needs of industries such as accounting, finance, marketing, procurement, human resources, and strategic management, this sub-theme aims to drive the transformation of business practices globally, creating resilient and inclusive commerce systems that support sustainable growth and development.

1. Sub theme 10: Veterinary Medicine and Animal health

Innovating for One Health: Resilient Veterinary Systems for a Changing World

This sub-theme addresses the evolving challenges and opportunities facing veterinary medicine in the context of global climate change, pandemics, antimicrobial resistance, and technological advancement. It emphasizes the role of veterinary systems in promoting animal health, food security, and public well-being through integrated One Health approaches. The focus is on harnessing innovations - ranging from digital health tools to genomic technologies-to strengthen disease surveillance, diagnostic accuracy, animal welfare, and policy integration. By bringing together veterinarians, researchers, students, policymakers, and industry stakeholders, this sub-theme seeks to foster resilient and inclusive veterinary systems that can respond effectively to both local and global health threats. The key focus areas include; precision veterinary medicine, AI, and digital health tools, Veterinary responses to climate-induced health risks, Antimicrobial stewardship and resistance management, One Health policy integration and cross-sector collaboration, Innovations in animal surgery and regenerative therapeutics, Genomic technologies and animal biotechnology, Mental health and welfare of veterinary professionals

Important Dates:

Conference Dates: 17^th - 19^th March 2026

Deadline for abstract submission: 15^th October 2025

Deadline for manuscript submission: 30^th November 2025

 Abstract Guidelines:

The abstract outline should be as follows:

• Title
• Author & institutional affiliation
• Corresponding author email
• Keywords (4-6)
• 250 words, prepared in Times New Roman Font 12 and 1.5 spacing.

Manuscript Guidelines:

The manuscript outline should be as follows:

• Title
• Author & institutional affiliation
• Corresponding author email
• Abstract (250 words)
• Keywords (4-6)
• Introduction
• Materials and methods/methodology
• Results and discussion (tables and figures to be presented in APA format 7^th edition)
• Conclusion and recommendations
• Acknowledgements
• References (APA format 7^th edition)
• Maximum 10 pages, prepared in Times New Roman Font 12 and 1.5 spacing.

If you have any questions or you experience any challenges email us through euconference@egerton.ac.ke or call the office of director research and extension Egerton University 0743473632 or 0775015388.

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