2026 Institutional Research Week
Institutional Research Week 2026
Call for Abstracts
Theme: “Advancing Knowledge and Technological Innovations for Sustainable Development” — research that works for Namibia and beyond.
Also Open: Call for Exhibitors
Showcase your innovations and solutions, connect with researchers, industry and policymakers, and explore partnerships at IRW 2026. Registrations close 25 September 2026.
Click the poster to open it at full size.
Enquiries: researchweek@nust.na
Background
The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) cordially invites academics, researchers, postgraduate students, industry partners, innovators and other stakeholders to submit abstracts for the 2026 Institutional Research Week (IRW). The occasion provides an interdisciplinary platform for disseminating impactful research findings, exchanging knowledge, promoting innovation, and strengthening partnerships that contribute to national development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Abstract Themes
Four faculties, one shared agenda — find the theme closest to your work.
Sustainable Business and Economic Development
Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Small Business Development
Public Policy, Governance and Public Administration
Human Resource Management and Organisational Development
Leadership, Ethics and Corporate Governance
Education, Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Innovation
Social Development, Community Engagement and Inclusion
Tourism, Hospitality and Creative Industries
Financial Management, Accounting and Auditing
Transportation and Logistics Systems
Criminal Justice Reform and Policy Development
Marketing, Consumer Behaviour and Digital Commerce
Communication, Language, Linguistics and Literacy Studies
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Cybersecurity and Digital Trust
Data Science, Big Data and Business Analytics
Cloud Computing and Internet of Things (IoT)
Software Engineering and Emerging Technologies
Smart Cities and Digital Government
Digital Transformation and Innovation
Human-Computer Interaction and User Experience
Blockchain Technologies and FinTech
ICT for Sustainable Development
Architecture, Planning and Construction
Renewable Energy and Green Technologies
Smart Infrastructure and Sustainable Construction
Water Resources Engineering and Environmental Management
Advanced Manufacturing and Industry 4.0
Mining, Geological and Materials Engineering
Climate-Resilient Infrastructure
Urban Planning and Sustainable Cities
Engineering Innovation and Product Development
Circular Economy and Sustainable Engineering Solutions
Public Health and Health Systems Strengthening
One Health: Human, Animal and Environmental Health and Epidemic Preparedness
Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences
Occupational Health and Safety
Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation
Wildlife Conservation, Ecotourism and Protected Area Management
Rangeland Ecology and Sustainable Management
Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Resilience
Nutrition and Food Safety
Water Security, Agriculture and Natural Resource Management
Regulatory Science and Health Policy
Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences
Water Quality, Sanitation and Environmental Health
Genomics, Bioinformatics and Precision Medicine
Applied Biological and Chemical Sciences
Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Sustainable Resource Management
Health Innovation and Digital Health Technologies
AI and Data Science Applications in Health and Environmental Sciences
Blue Economy and Sustainable Ocean and Coastal Resource Management
Circular Economy, Waste Valorisation and Resource Efficiency
Professor of English and Linguistics
Faculty of Commerce, Human Sciences and Education
Inaugural Lecture: “Narratives, Identities and Pluriversality: An Afro-triumphalist Reimagining of Human Well-being in Adversarial Contexts”
Professor Nelson Mlambo is a Professor of Literature, Communication and Applied Linguistics in NUST’s Department of Communication and Languages. His academic career spans more than two decades, with specialisms in literary studies, storytelling for change, applied communication and rhetorical studies. He has held an AfOx fellowship at the University of Oxford’s Wolfson College and a LUCAS/LARHI fellowship at the University of Leeds. His scholarship explores African narratives, identity and human well-being, examining how people respond to adversity with resilience, innovation, hope and positivity. His inaugural lecture considers these themes through African literary representations of life in difficult circumstances. Professor Mlambo has supervised more than 40 master’s and PhD students and has authored six books and over 100 scholarly publications. His work seeks to strengthen inclusive, Africa-led narratives, reclaim African human dignity through literature, and support forms of knowledge that contribute to collective well-being.
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Professor of Economics
Faculty of Commerce, Human Sciences and Education
Inaugural Lecture: “Solving the Growth Puzzle: Empirical Evidence from Namibia and Southern Africa”
Professor Tafirenyika Sunde is a Full Professor of Economics at NUST and an Extraordinary Professor in Trade and Development at North-West University, South Africa. An applied economist and econometrician, he has more than 25 years of experience in teaching, research, postgraduate supervision, policy engagement and academic leadership. He holds a doctorate in Economics from the University of South Africa and economics degrees from the University of Zimbabwe. His research examines trade, macroeconomic policy, public finance, energy, financial development and poverty, using quantitative methods to address development questions in Namibia and Southern Africa. His inaugural lecture brings this empirical perspective to the region’s growth puzzle. Professor Sunde has contributed to projects on mineral beneficiation, the Skorpion Zinc Mine closure and Namibia’s gender pay gap. He has supervised more than 30 MBA and MIB graduates, contributed to economics curriculum development, and received institutional research awards in 2012 and 2017.
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Professor of Applied Linguistics
Faculty of Commerce, Human Sciences and Education
Inaugural Lecture: “Linguistic Vitality, Marginalisation, and Language Endangerment in Namibia: Towards a Policy Framework for Language Planning and Revitalisation”
Professor Haileleul Zeleke Woldemariam is an applied linguistics scholar in NUST’s Department of Communication and Languages, directing its PhD in Applied Linguistics programme and serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Namibian Journal of Linguistics, Literature and Communication Studies. He joined NUST in 2014 after holding academic leadership and research management positions in Ethiopia. His research spans pragmatics, forensic and cognitive linguistics, language education, endangered languages, artificial intelligence and natural language processing. His inaugural lecture addresses linguistic vitality, marginalisation and language revitalisation in Namibia. He coordinated projects with Chifwe, !Kung, OvaZemba and maTotela communities that produced six books and two journal articles. Professor Woldemariam has supervised 55 master’s graduates across NUST and Adama Science and Technology University, and two doctoral graduates at the University of Namibia. His contributions include postgraduate curriculum development and NUST research awards in 2015, 2016, 2023 and 2025, alongside national recognition for university development in Ethiopia.
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Professor and Executive Dean
Faculty of Commerce, Human Sciences and Education
Inaugural Lecture: “From Consumer Insight to Inclusive Innovation: Building Entrepreneurial, Digital and Sustainable Futures for Namibia and Africa”
Professor Efigenia Madalena Mario Semente is Executive Dean of NUST’s Faculty of Commerce, Human Sciences and Education, with more than 25 years of combined academic and industry experience. Her expertise spans marketing, strategic management, entrepreneurship and higher education. Her 2018 doctoral research at the University of Namibia examined consumer decision-making among Generation Y consumers, informing subsequent work on consumer behaviour, digitalisation and management in African contexts. Her inaugural lecture connects consumer insight with inclusive innovation and sustainable entrepreneurial futures for Namibia and Africa. She has produced more than 30 scholarly outputs, with over 100 citations, and contributed to the RATTER–SSTL framework for customer-centricity. Her research addresses women’s entrepreneurship, technology adoption, public procurement, service delivery and SME competitiveness. In 2026, she co-edited Technical and Vocational Education as a Catalyst for Sustainable Entrepreneurship. Her leadership connects postgraduate education, university–industry engagement and entrepreneurship with Namibia’s development priorities.
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Professor of Informatics
Faculty of Computing and Informatics
Inaugural Lecture: “Re-aligning Digital Transformation Through Data Governance: A Research Journey Translating Global Theory into African Practice”
Professor Jude Odiakaosa Osakwe is a Full Professor of Informatics at NUST, specialising in information systems, digital transformation and data governance in developing countries. His academic career began in Nigeria in 2002 and includes service as Head of Department and Director of ICT at the College of Education, Oju. He holds a PhD in Informatics, an MSc in Information Technology and a BSc Honours in Applied Statistics, alongside education and professional qualifications. His research examines the adoption of big data, business intelligence, blockchain and mobile platforms in resource-constrained institutions across Southern and West Africa. He has authored or co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters and international conference papers, and authored three books in Information Systems and Research. He has supervised three doctoral candidates and mentored 25 master’s and over 50 honours researchers to completion. His future research addresses responsible AI governance, data ethics and security, and equitable digital transformation.
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Submission Tracks
Please indicate your preferred track when submitting.
Peer-reviewed research presentations grouped by thematic area and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and impact storytelling.
Industry panels, policy dialogues, intellectual property and commercialisation case studies, and co-produced research. Suitable for researchers with active industry/community partnerships.
Dedicated to undergraduate (final-year/honours), master’s and doctoral students — oral presentations, poster sessions and 3MT pitches. Faculty representatives are to ensure student participation.
Presentation Formats
10-minute presentation, and 5 minutes Q&A. Suitable for completed or near-completion research.
Displayed throughout IRW 2026, with a dedicated poster walkabout session.
Students present their research and its significance in three minutes, using one static slide, to a non-specialist audience.
Live demonstration of a prototype, app, pilot or community solution.
Jointly authored presentation with an industry, government or community partner.
Submission Requirements
All abstract submissions must include the following information:
Title — maximum 15 words
Abstract — max 150 words: Problem | Aim/objectives | Methodology | Findings/Expected Results | Conclusion/Practical Implications
Language — English | File format — Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx)
Font — Calibri, 11pt, 1.5 spacing, 2.5cm margins
Keywords — five (5) keywords
Authors — name(s), corresponding email, institution, ORCID (optional)
Student category — Undergraduate | Honours | Master’s | PhD
Authors will be required to submit full papers before the research week for presentation consideration and possible publication in the Proceedings of Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) Research Week.
Click either poster to open it at full size.
Special Competition Submissions
The NUST 3MT competition challenges Master’s and PhD students to communicate the significance of their research in just three minutes, using a single static slide. This is a flagship event of IRW 2026.
Eligibility — NUST Master’s and PhD students (current registration required)
Format — 3 minutes maximum; one static slide, no props or animations; English
Judging — Clarity, significance and impact, engagement with a non-specialist audience
To enter — Submit your abstract and select ‘3MT Competition’
Prizes — 1st, 2nd and 3rd place; certificates for all finalists
Teams of students and academics from each faculty pitch a practical, SDG-aligned solution to a real-world challenge. Qualifier pitches on Day 2, Final on Day 3.
Team — mixed teams of students and academic staff
Abstract format — title, problem/challenge, proposed solution, impacts, feasibility, SDG alignment
Final format — A1 poster; 5-slide deck; 5-minute pitch + Q&A; optional demo
To register — Submit your abstract and select ‘Sustainable Solutions Cup’
Prizes — winning team awards; certificates for all participants
Important Dates
How to Submit
All abstracts should be submitted through the link below.
Selection Criteria
All submitted abstracts will undergo a double-blind peer review process, and the outcome will be communicated to the authors. By accepting an invitation to present a paper, the author or at least one co-author commits to attending the conference.
Awards and Recognition
Professorial inauguration — inaugural lecture and investiture
Best Paper Award — top presentation in Track A (Research Frontiers)
Best Student Paper / Poster — top student submission in Track C
3MT Winner — 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, plus People’s Choice
Sustainable Solutions Cup Award — winning faculty team and runners-up
People’s Choice Awards — Best Poster and Best Research Reel
Certificates of Participation are awarded to all finalists and competition participants.
Who Should Submit?
Early-career researchers, interdisciplinary teams, and student-academic collaborative projects are especially encouraged to submit. IRW 2026 is designed to be inclusive – there is a stream for everyone.
Enquiries and Contact
Directorate of Research, Innovation and Partnerships (DRIP)
pmabuku@nust.na or uakah@nust.na
HTTPS Building, 6th Floor, Room 003, C/o Brahms and Beethoven Street, Private Bag 13388, Windhoek, Namibia
Frequently Asked Questions — Exhibitors
What exhibitors need to know about the IRW 2026 exhibition day.
What time is the event and where?
The Research Week is a four-day event (27–30 October 2026). The exhibitions take place on the first day, 27 October 2026.
Where is the venue for the exhibition?
NUST Lower Campus, Auditorium 1, Brahms Street.
What time is the set-up for exhibitors?
On the day, strictly before 07h30 — all set-ups must be complete by then.
Can I attend the presentations?
Yes. All exhibitors are welcome to attend the event, especially the opening session. Feel free to extend the invitation to your respective networks.
What is the size of the space available for each exhibitor?
A table of 1.5m x 2m will be available for each exhibitor.
What are some of the items I should bring to the venue?
Gazebos, banners, promotional items, tablecloths and similar display materials.
May I come for a site visit?
Yes, on 30 September 2026 between 10h00 and 11h00. To indicate your interest in visiting the site, contact bmbaeva@nust.na / 061 207 2096 or vshaanika@nust.na / 061 207 2490.
Is there Wi-Fi available at the venue?
Yes, Wi-Fi is available. The credentials will be shared on the day.
Are there extension cables and/or plugs?
There are wall plugs at the venue, but kindly bring your own extension cables.
How can I provide feedback on the event?
A short survey will be circulated after the event.
Is there a central point where I can get more information about this event?
Yes — all information is published on this page: www.nust.na/2026-institutional-research-week
Committee Members
Dr Patrina Mabuku
Marketing, Infrastructure, Industries & Partners Sub-Committee
Ms Kuda Brandt (Sub-committee Chairperson)
Mr Charles Kake
Mr Abraham Shilomboleni
Mr Nigel M’kwaira
Mr Mbaeva Benhard
Mr Muhongo Evaristus
Mr Jeremiah Mwiinga
Ms Shipanga Victoria
Prof Jeremiah Andrew (Sub-committee chairperson)
Prof Nicodemus Angula
Prof Haileleul Woldemariam
Prof Awofolu Omotayo
Prof Shaanika Irya
Dr Utibe Akah
Dr Elize Nghalipo
Mr Nigel M’kwaira
Ms Rennie Munyayi
Ms Joy Hambabi
Mr Verinjaerako Kangotue
Mr Naftali Indongo
Ms Van Wyk Alisa (Sub-committee chairperson)
Ms Rufaro Musiyarira
Ms Jansen Nadia
Ms Selma Kronelius
Ms Irene Kunamwene
Ms Sam Hannelora
Ms Maletzky, Mercelyne
