Lira University to host 1st annual research, entrepreneurship & innovation conference

18 April 2025, 9:23 am

By Sarah Ejang

Lira, Uganda – The Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza, is set to grace the inaugural Annual Research Dissemination, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Exhibition Conference at Lira University, scheduled for April 23-25, 2025, in the Faculty of Education block.

Prof. Jasper Ogwal Okeng, the Vice-Chancellor of Lira University, announced that the Minister will be accompanied by a delegation from the Science, Technology and Innovation – Office of the President (STI-OP) on April 25. “The focus of the visit will be to interact with the STI-OP funded ventures, as well as other initiatives at the university,” Prof. Ogwal Okeng highlighted.

Coinciding with the exhibition conference, Lira University will also host the Greater Northern Region STI Stakeholders’ Conference on April 25. This event aims to disseminate the national STI strategy and discuss actionable steps towards translating research into market-ready products that can significantly impact the nation’s socio-economic transformation. “All researchers and innovators, along with stakeholders in the university’s innovation support ecosystem, are expected to attend,” he added.

Associate Professor Dr. Omech Bernard, the Graduate Training and Research Director, emphasised that the conference aligns with the university’s mission of providing access to quality higher education and professional training. He revealed that the inaugural conference will focus on the theme: “Bridging the Gaps: The Role of Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship in National Social and Economic Transformation.”

“This conference marks an exciting chapter in our journey towards transforming knowledge into impact. Over the course of three days, we will bring together researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, students, policymakers, and community leaders to explore how academic research and innovation can drive sustainable development and socio-economic transformation,” Prof. Omech explained.

In addition to Minister Musenero, key speakers will include Prof. Celestino Obua, Chairperson of the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) and former Vice-Chancellor of Mbarara University of Science and Technology, alongside a representative from the Ministry of Trade.

The conference aims to foster engaging exhibitions, thought-provoking discussions, and inspiring presentations that will showcase cutting-edge research addressing real-world challenges. “Our goal is to promote entrepreneurial thinking and innovation while creating strategic linkages between academia, industry, and communities to empower the next generation of leaders and changemakers,” Prof. Omech clarified.

Dr. Laury Ocen, a Senior Lecturer and Grants Officer, noted that the workshop offers an excellent opportunity for researchers and innovators who have received grants from the Uganda Government’s Research and Innovation Fund to showcase their findings throughout the three-day event. “Over the past ten months, recipients of these grants, along with those undertaking privately sponsored projects, have delved into numerous exploratory, clinical, and experimental searches for knowledge-based solutions that our communities urgently need,” Dr. Ocen stated.

This year’s inaugural conference will feature 32 researchers and innovators participating in the science and innovation showcase. To enhance the scientific atmosphere, Dr. Ocen indicated that distinguished scholars and public intellectuals will present keynote papers on research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

In addition to Lira University’s academic community, the organising committee has invited a diverse range of stakeholders, including manufacturers, industrialists, local government officials, and private sector representatives, to interface with academia—recognising them as essential partners in nation-building and knowledge production.

The conference will exhibit over 30 research, innovation, and entrepreneurship products that inform policies and practices across various sectors, including applied technology, environmental and health sciences, education, and service delivery.

“We would like to salute the Government of Uganda for providing the research and innovation funds that enabled us to achieve this milestone,” Dr. Ocen praised.

The Lira University First Annual Research Dissemination, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Exhibition Conference promises to be a transformative gathering, fostering collaboration between academia and industry, and propelling Uganda towards a more innovative and economically prosperous future.