Introduction

The National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) was established by the Science and Technology Act Number 16 of
2003. The mandate of the Commission is to advise government and other stakeholders on all science and technology matters in order to achieve science and technology led development.
The mission of the NCST is to promote, support, coordinate and regulate the development and application of science, technology
and innovation in order to create wealth and improve the quality of life.
In pursuit of its mission in promoting and supporting the development and application of science, technology and innovation, the NCST among other initiatives, organises in collaboration with other partners, the National Research Dissemination Conference, every two years, on different themes and objectives.
The conference aims at providing researchers and professionals a platform for disseminating their findings, exchanging contemporary knowledge and building partnerships and collaborations to advance research and innovation, thereby contributing to sustainable development. The conference will also provide an interactive opportunity among researchers, policy makers, industrial practitioners, state and non-state actors, development partners and the general public.

Date and Venue

The 2017 National Research Dissemination Conference has been organized with a theme “Research and Innovation: A catalyst
for sustainable development” and will be held from the 27th to 29th September, 2017 at Sunbird Nkopola Lodge, in Mangochi

The conference which aims at providing a platform to present and discuss contemporary knowledge, lessons learnt, best practices
and solutions to the challenges impeding on socioeconomic development of Malawi, has the following objectives:
 Promote uptake of research results;
 Provide a platform for researchers to showcase their research works;
 Enhance cooperation, collaboration, networking and partnerships;
 Enhance scientific advances into marketable innovations; and
 Facilitate evidence based policy decision making

Thematic Areas
The 2017 NRDC brings together both accomplished as well as upcoming research in such areas as agriculture, irrigation and food
security; Environment, climate change and natural resources management; education, social sciences and humanities; health
and population; energy, industry and enginring; ICT and knowledge management; and Technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.

The conference is being organised and co-financed by the NCST and the Department of Economic Planning and Development
(EP&D).

In this regard, the EP&D through the Malawi Public Policy Research Analysis Project (MPPRAP) has made available USD30,000, which is about K22,000,000.00, towards the cost of the conference, so that more researchers can be supported to participate