Conference Book of Abstracts

Abstract

The Technology-Enterprise Nexus: Partnering for Innovation, Rural Industrialisation and Community Impact conference coincides with Chinhoyi University of Technology’s 25th (Silver Jubilee) Anniversary. Twenty-five years is an opportune milestone to pause and reflect on the journey traversed to date. As a University that treasures Heritage-based Education 5.0, this conference showcases cutting–edge research and innovations. The convergence of technological innovation and enterprise development is poised to pivot the industrialization mandate. This conference defies academic provincialism and breaks down the silos of agriculture, health, engineering, business, and other disciplines as it promotes interconnected, data-driven multidisciplinary ecosystems. This dynamic interplay of disciplines aims to deliver seamless collaboration and cross-disciplinary complementarity. The book of abstracts presents a wide range of themes as captured below:  Green Technologies, Digital Innovations, AI and Industry 4.0 for Rural Industrialisation: Smart Automation, Cleantech and Rural Digitization  Innovation, Enterprise and Rural Industrialisation: Designing Financing and Commercialising Technologies and Enterprises  Smart Agriculture Agro-Industrial Systems: Technologies, Value Chains,Climate-Smart Systems and Food Security Solutions  Sustainability, Climate and Environmental Systems: Conservation Technologies, Renewable Energy, Sustainable Tourism, Water Systems and Circular Economy, and Resilience  Health, Biotechnology and Human Well-being: Medical Technologies, Public Health Innovation, Bioengineering and Health Systems Strengthening  Society, Governance and Inclusive Development: Policy, Ethics, Social Innovation, Community Participation and People-centred Design, and  Creativity, Design and Cultural Innovation: Industrial Design, Creative Technologies, Digital Arts, and Innovation Ecosystems.The areas covered bear testimony to the University’s preoccupation with life-changing research aimed at transforming lives in cities and in hitherto marginalized rural communities. The thrust is to mainstream rural communities in the development and industrialization agenda. Besides the presentation of papers and the cross-fertilization of ideas that characterize the conference proceedings, the event presents an opportunity for postgraduate students to showcase their innovations, research, and prototypes through poster presentations. Likewise, a platform was created for industry and start-ups to showcase their offerings and forge vital linkages with the academic community for greater synergy and collaboration. This book of abstracts is a veritable source of ideas to scale up sustainable enterprise development in marginalized communities through smart agriculture, climate-resilient food systems, and sustainable tourism.