MZUNI Research Conference 2025 – Call for Abstracts
Second National Research Dissemination Conference
3-4 September, 2025
Mzuzu University CODeL Complex
Research for evidence-based practice and policy formulation
a) Preamble
The Malawi Vision 2063 provides a roadmap for advancing the country into an inclusively wealthy and self-reliant nation by the year 2063. The document recognises the promotion of research, science, technology, and innovation as a key facet in this trajectory. To coordinate effort in this direction, the National Planning Commission (NPC) and National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST), developed the National Research Agenda that outlines themes and priority areas that will guide research, innovation and technology initiatives that will assist the country meet its development aspirations. Research and higher educational institutions are key players in the implementation of the National Research Agenda as they are mandated to conduct research in the specified priority areas and disseminate its findings to policy makers, industry players and other key stakeholders.
Mzuzu University recognises that it has an obligation to champion and inspire research which is directly aligned towards the realisation of Malawi 2063. The University further recognises the need for the outputs of research it produces to reach key policy makers, industry players and other key stakeholders. It is against this background that the University is calling upon all researchers to submit abstracts for completed or ongoing research for presentation at its Second National Research Dissemination Conference. The theme of the conference is: Research for evidence-based practice and policy formulation.
b) Conference Sub-themes
In line with the National Research Agenda, researchers are invited to submit papers in the form of original full research papers, papers based on research-in progress, 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:
- Technology, innovation and industrialisation
- New advances in pure and applied mathematics
- Renewable energy technologies and other green energy sources
- ICT, Data Science and new innovations
- Social media and artificial intelligence
- ICT4D
- Sustainable mining technologies
- Environmental Sustainability
- Climate change, adaptation and policy implications
- Ecologies and society
- Environmental management, resource extraction and social conflict
- Indigenous knowledge systems and conservation
- Agricultural productivity and commercialisation
- African urbanism and informality
- Society, culture and politics
- Politics, governance and sustainability
- Private sector, democracy and human rights
- Effective governance systems and institutions
- Information services for sustainable societies
- History and heritage
- Language, identity and Justice
- Economic infrastructure and policy
- • Public sector performance and accountability
- Health and wellness
- Health and wellness at the workplace
- Mental health and wellness in higher education
- Public health institutions and community interface
- Epidemic response and management
- Tourism and innovative research
- Sustainable tourism
- Tourism planning and development
- Destination branding and marketing
- Ecotourism and heritage interpretation
- Food, identity and tourism
- Urban planning and tourism
- Human Capital Development
- Higher education policy and practice
- Current trends in primary and secondary education
- Education for sustainable societies
- Education policy and inclusive education
- Vocational training and development
- Decolonisation in education sector
- Entrepreneurship skills and Human development
c) Format of abstracts
An abstract with a maximum of 350 words in length must consist of:
- Purpose
- Methodology/approach
- Findings
- Conclusion and recommendations
- Originality/value of contribution
- Keywords of between 4 and 5
- Paper type (e.g., research paper, literature review, case study, conceptual paper, etc.).
- The title page which should include the title of paper followed by name(s), qualification(s), affiliation(s) and the e-mail of the author(s).
Procedure for submitting abstracts
All abstracts should be sent to mzuniconference2025@mzuni.ac.mw and copied to the Chairperson, Editorial Committee, Dr. Aubrey Chaputula using email address: chaputula.a@mzuni.ac.mw. Authors must indicate the sub-theme in the email subject heading.
d) Conference Proceedings
Accepted papers will undergo blind peer-review, and will be published as conference proceedings.
e) Important dates
- Deadline for the submission of abstracts: 31th May, 2025.
- Communication of decisions: 13th June, 2025.
- Deadline for submission of PowerPoint Presentations: 22nd August, 2025.
- Deadline for submission of full papers: 29th August, 2025.
- Conference dates: 3rd to 4th September, 2025.
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 at CODeL Complex at Mzuzu University.
i) Travel and Visa Requirements
Participants are expected to make their own travel arrangements. However, SADC residents do not require entry VISA to travel to Malawi. For those requiring visas, it is advisable to apply in good time to the Malawian Embassy in their respective countries. The Conference Organising Committee will facilitate 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 Chair, Main Organising Committee, Prof. Fanuel Kapute, Phone: 265 999 916 110; Email: kapute.f@mzuni.ac.mw
Download the Abstract template by clicking on the button below.