GARISSA – University has successfully concluded its 2nd International Conference themed “Fostering Innovation, Resilience, and Inclusive Development Beyond 2030.”
It brought together researchers, policymakers, scholars and international experts for two days of intensive academic exchange.
The event attracted participants from across Kenya and several countries positioning the institution as a regional hub for research and development dialogue.
The conference featured multiple presentation halls running concurrently, each handling a specialised set of sub-themes. In Lecture Hall 13, sessions on Education, Inclusion and Institutional Partnerships were chaired by Prof. Mochama Gori, with participants presenting research on improving access to education, strengthening institutional collaboration and promoting inclusive learning models.
At the Lecture Theatre Hall, governance and peacebuilding dominated discussions under the moderation of Prof. Mwemezi Rwiza from the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology in Arusha, Tanzania. Speakers explored regional governance dynamics, peacebuilding strategies and practical approaches to mitigating conflict in fragile settings.
In Umoja Hall, sessions chaired by Dr. Peter also focused on Education, Inclusion and Institutional Partnerships, with presenters sharing evidence-based approaches to building inclusive and community-driven educational systems.
The conference was further enriched by three keynote addresses delivered by distinguished international speakers.
Dr. Abdirahman Abass, a Project Consultant at the Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC), discussed development challenges and emerging opportunities within Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) region, emphasising the need for innovation-led growth.
Dr. Olesea Sirbu, founder and president of the European Policy Development and Research Institute in Slovenia, offered insights into European development frameworks, research management and the role of global partnerships in driving sustainable progress.
Mr. Abdinasir Yussuf, Executive Director of the Puntland Development Research Center (PDRC), provided perspectives on peacebuilding, community resilience and locally anchored conflict resolution mechanisms.
Puntland Development Research Center (PDRC) is a Garowe-based local NGO in the autonomous Puntland region of northeastern Somalia.
Established on November 30, 1999, PDRC emerged as the successor to the former War‑torn Societies Project International (WSPI), which operated in Puntland between 1997 and 1999.
As an independent, non-partisan and non-profit research institute, Mr. Yussuf shared insights on measures taken by PDRC in peacebuilding, advancing democratic governance and promoting respect for human rights.
The discussions, findings and partnerships formed during the event would help shape policy and development strategies in Northern Kenya and other regions.
The university is expected to publish the conference proceedings and begin preparations for an even more expansive third edition in the coming year.
