At int’l research conference in UB: Experts proffer innovative solutions to tackle climate change, conflicts.

This was the major outcome of the third edition of the University of Buea International Research Conference.

The conference held Friday October 25. It was attended by over 3,000 participants from Cameroon, Africa and the world.

The conference focused on ways of combating the adverse effects of climate change and conflicts.

It unfolded under the theme: “Innovative solutions to climate change and conflict in the era of technology”.

The conference was chaired by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Buea, UB, Prof Ngomo Horace Manga.

It served as an avenue for scholars, researchers and experts from all over the world to address the pressing issues of climate change and conflict in an era dominated by technology. 

Prof Ngomo remarked that climate change and conflicts are a global concern and that community actors must work together so as to mitigate it adverse effects on the environment and human life.

Prof Ngomo also called on the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Research and Cooperation with the Business World DVC/RCB, Prof Kingsley Ngange, to use his administrative means to canvas for more cooperation between the University  of Buea and the University of Florida, in the United states of America, USA.

Dr David Cuillier representing the Florida School of Journalism and Mass Communications was the keynote speaker at the conference.

He called on the conference participants to take responsible actions and learn from the experts present.

“You know I feel very happy that 85% of the conference participants are of the young generation,” Dr Cuillier said.

“The older generation may have failed in combating climate change and conflict but the young generation is the world’s hope,” he added, stating that "you can do it. I believe in you!”.

Presentations at conference 

Prof Usongo Patience, Assistant Professor of Bio-Geography in UB and researcher with over twenty years of experience, focused her presentation on the coastal perception, vulnerability, and household adaptation to flood hazard with case study of Limbe.

“Coastal environments are highly vulnerable to natural hazards due to the compound effects of climate change, rise in sea level and human activities,” she said.

Her research proved that down beach in Limbe, South West Region, is highly vulnerable to floods and its damages resulting from the destruction of roads and communications networks.

Other presenters 

For his part, Dr. Tata Emmanuel Sunjo delivered a paper on climate-induced mitigation and agro-pastoral conflict in Africa’s Sahel: Impacts on regional security and the role of technology in early warning.

Dr Nsah-ko Tchomboue dwelled on enhancing congestion process technology for climate change mitigation in agro-industries in Cameroon.

There was also a presentation on Technological metaphor in selecting African climate Fiction: Imagining Resilience and challenges of an emerging scientist by Prof Eunice Fombele and Prof Ntie-Kang Fidele.

Key resolutions of conference 

The over six-hour conference ended with resolutions proposed by participants. Participants unanimously agreed that community actors need to play a major role in working towards positive contributions to climate change discourse and productive narrative.

It was equally resolved that intersectionality between and amongst disciplines viz; science, technology, engineering, arts were to come up with common solutions that harness scientists and societal efforts on climate change to make the world better.

By Cyprain Bekhali (Journalism student)

This article was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3274 of Tuesday October 29, 2024