PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE TWO PDF DOCUMENTS FOR DETAILED INFORMATION

a) Preamble

Mzuzu University wishes to invite you to participate in the First National Research Dissemination Conference. The theme of the conference is: Research and Innovation: A Catalyst for Social, Cultural and Economic Transformation. This theme recognises the importance of research, science, technology, and innovation in the realisation of Malawi 2063. The University further seeks to generate research outputs which can be used by policy makers to formulate evidence-based policies to ultimately transform Malawi into an inclusively wealthy and self-reliant nation. It is against this background that Mzuzu University is calling upon scholars and researchers to submit abstracts based on completed or ongoing research for presentation at the dissemination conference.

b) Conference Sub-themes

We invite researchers from Malawi and beyond to submit papers in the form of original full research papers, research-in progress papers, posters or lightening talks (short 5-minute presentations) that have not previously been presented elsewhere and make original contributions to the theme of the conference. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following broad areas:

i. Science, Technology and Innovation

New advances in pure and applied mathematics
Promoting renewable energy technologies
ICT, Data Science and new innovations
Biological sciences
Chemistry and its applications
Physics and its applications

ii. Environmental Sciences

Agrisciences
Urban and Regional Planning
Estate Management
Fisheries and Aquaculture
Forestry
Environmental Management
Geosciences
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
Waste Management and Recycling
Climate Change, Adaptation and Mitigation

iii. Humanities and Social Sciences

The role of linguistics, literature and creative arts in national development
History, Heritage and Economic Development in Malawi
Security and Public Sector Governance
Religion and Environmental Conservation
Information services for development
Communication for Sustainability

iv. Health Sciences

Innovative approaches and interventions to strengthen health delivery
Healthcare access, delivery and outcomes
Heath technology and digital transformation
Maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health
Communicable and non-communicable diseases
Biomedical and Health Informatics

v. Tourism, Hospitality and Management

Sustainable tourism
Tourism planning and development
Cultural heritage tourism
Transport and aviation
Service quality and management in the hospitality industry
Entrepreneurship
Sports management

vi. Open, Distance and eLearning

eLearning
Student support
Self-learning materials
Copyright
Open Educational Resources

vii. Education

Education and Development
Education, Society and Culture
Critical Thinking and Reasoning Education
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education
Language Education
Inclusive and/or Special Needs Education

c) Format of abstracts

An abstract with a maximum of 350 words in length must consist of: i. Purpose ii. Methodology/approach iii. Findings iv. Conclusion and recommendations v. Originality/value of contribution vi. Keywords of between 4 and 5 vii. Paper type (e.g., research paper, literature review, case study, conceptual paper, etc.). viii. The title page which should include the title of paper followed by name(s), qualification, affiliation(s) and the e-mail of the author(s). A template for submitting abstracts can be downloaded at www.mzuni.ac.mw/?p=7939

i) Procedure for submitting abstracts

All abstracts should be submitted through the following email: conference.2023@mzuni.ac.mw.Authors must indicate the subtheme in the email subject heading. d) Conference proceedings Accepted papers will undergo blind peer-review, and will be published as conference proceedings with a reputable publisher.

e) Important dates

Deadline for the submission of abstracts: 30^th August, 2023.
Communication of decisions: 18^th September, 2023.
Deadline for submission of PowerPoint Presentations: 15th October, 2023.
Conference dates: 25-26 October, 2023.

f) Conference Fees and Registration

Conference fees, which will cover conference materials, teas and luncheons, are as follows:

Malawian based presenters: K100,000
Malawian based students: MK60,000
International presenters: $100

g) Payments

Payments should be made to the following bank account: Bank : National Bank of Malawi, Mzuzu Branch, P.O. Box 20, Mzuzu. Account Name : MZUNIREC, Mzuzu University, Private Bag 201, Luwinga, Mzuzu 2, Malawi. Account No. : 1007578888

h) Venue

The conference will be held in Mzuzu at Grand Palace Hotel. Email: info@thegrandpalacemalawi.com, Tel: +265-(01)-303-323/333/324 or website https://www.thegrandpalacemalawi.com/

i) Travel and Visa Requirements

It is expected that participants should make their own travel arrangements. However, SADC residents do not require entry VISA to travel to Malawi. Those requiring visas to enter Malawi should visit the following website: https://evisa.gov.m w /. The Conference Organising Committee will facilitate with the issuance of letters to confirm the hosting of the conference.

j) Accommodation

The costs for travel, accommodation and incidentals are the responsibility of the participants. Participants are expected to make their own accommodation arrangements. For more information, please contact the following:

Chair, Main Organising Committee, Dr Aubrey Chaputula – +265 888 328 671, Email: chaputula.a@mzuni.ac.mw
Chair, Editorial Committee – Dr Winner Chawinga – +265 993 509

295, Email: chawinga.w@mzuni.ac.mw