I take this opportunity to welcome all our esteemed guests, paper presenters and partners to the 9th edition of the University of Nairobi Research and innovation week, which runs from 21st to 24th October 2025. The Theme of the Research Week is Advancing Research and Innovation from discovery to impact in a dynamic global landscape.  There is a lot of research taking place in our universities and around the world, and unless findings of such research efforts are communicated in various forams for critique and possible policy interventions, they may be of very little use. The University of Nairobi Research Week gives researchers this unique opportunity to share their research findings not only with other researchers, but with industry players, research funders, students and other academicians. I call upon researchers, students and practitioners to join us during the Research week as they present papers that challenge the world view. I call upon researchers to take advantage of this opportunity and submit abstracts and papers through the various conferences that are scheduled to take place during the Research week, and be part of this great event. In addition to the many other activities that will be taking place during the Research Week, each conference will have various keynote speakers from both the private and public sector, both local and international, to make presentations on topical issues.