It is my pleasure to welcome all participants to this 1st 2022 Science, Technology and Innovation conference themed “Leveraging the Potential of Science and Technology to Mitigate Challenges Associated with COVID-19 Pandemic in Developing Countries”, at Kigali Convention center (KCC), Kigali, Rwanda.

This conference is an essential global platform to demonstrate scientific progress using technology to address COVID-19 crisis that reminded us several things. First, the crucial contribution of science and technology in addressing the health care challenges, but also in supporting the society and economy in times of major turmoil. Second, the importance of collective demand for scientific expertise and coordination.

This conference attracted abstracts from many countries such as Cameroon, Ethiopia, India, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, only to mention a few. We would like to assure all participants that they will enjoy a scientifically memorable conference on advancements of science and technology such as use of artificial intelligence, data science and robotics to improve and fast-track COVID-19 management, containment and prediction as well as improving human health through vaccination.

We are extremely grateful to the Government of Rwanda’s funding for this Conference. This is the first conference to provide an opportunity for global scientists to deliberate on key important areas of digital divide and key data gaps to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Selected scientists who benefited from Rwanda funding will also present their research studies, as part of current funding of over 90 projects across the all disciplines.

We are grateful to the following members of the Scientific Committee for their incredible work to ensure a successful event:  Dr. Marie Chantal Cyulinyana, Dr. Japhet Niyobuhungiro, Prof. Bideri Nyamulinda, Ms. Noella Bigirimana, Prof. Timothy Brown, Prof. Matt Ames and Dr. Isambi Sailon Mbalawata.

Additionally, we are thankful to the globally renown keynote speakers for their contribution to this conference: Dr. Roger I. Glass, the Director of the Fogarty International Center (FIC) at the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH), Dr. Agnes Binagwaho, the Vice Chancellor and Professor of pediatrics at University of Global Health Equity (UGHE), Dr. David J. Kelvin from University of Dalhousie in Canada, Mr. Stefan Leslie Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Research Nova Scotia, Canada, Dr. Claude Mambo Muvunyi, Director General Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) and Dr. Wilfred Ndifon, Chief Scientific Officer at African Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS).

Let me finally wish all participants a fruitful conference. Our goal is that this conference takes place every 2 years, with diverse prestigious awards conferred to highly deserving best scientists in well-publicized gala events.

Looking ahead, each of us has a vital role to play – shaping COVID-19 recovery to a new normal life, placing health and equity at the heart of all programs and policies.

Yours Sincerely,

Eugene Mutimura, PhD
Executive Secretary
Rwanda National Council for Science and Technology