Progress report for
Achievement at a glance
CUUL has successfully scaled its flagship Annual International Research Dissemination Conference into a high-impact, multi-stakeholder platform for advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through knowledge exchange, research visibility, and policy dialogue.
The October 2025 conference at Imperial Royale Hotel Kampala convened over 300 participants from across Africa and beyond. The event brought together librarians, researchers, academics, graduate students, and global publishing partners, reinforcing CUUL’s role as a regional convening authority in knowledge systems and scholarly communication.
The conference continues to evolve as a strategic interface between research, policy, and practice, with deliberate alignment to SDG priorities and emerging global knowledge trends.
Key Results and Evidence
-Global and Regional Participation:
Over 300 delegates representing universities, research institutions, and publishing organisations across multiple regions
-Diverse Stakeholder Engagement:
Inclusive participation from: Academic and research librarians, Faculty, Researchers, Postgraduate students, International publishers, and knowledge partners
-SDG-Aligned Knowledge Exchange:
Conference sessions and presentations focused on themes such as: Digital transformation of academic libraries, Open access and knowledge equity, Research visibility and impact in Africa, Data stewardship and research integrity, Innovation ecosystems and university–industry linkages
-Policy and Practice Interface:
Generated actionable insights and recommendations to inform institutional strategies, national policy discourse, and regional collaboration frameworks
Innovation and Transformative Value
The CUUL conference model transcends traditional academic gatherings by functioning as a knowledge co-creation and policy-shaping platform. It integrates:
-Research dissemination with practical implementation dialogue
-Librarianship with broader innovation and development agendas
-Local research priorities with global scholarly ecosystems
This positions CUUL as a continental hub for advancing evidence-based development through library and information systems.
Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 4 (Quality Education): Promotes inclusive and equitable access to knowledge and research dissemination
SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure): Strengthens research and innovation ecosystems through collaboration and knowledge exchange
SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): Facilitates multi-stakeholder partnerships across institutions, countries, and sectors
The conference also indirectly contributes to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) through inclusive participation and representation in knowledge production.
Challenges faced in implementation
-Challenge: Resource constraints in scaling global participation
--Response: Strengthened partnerships with publishers and regional bodies to support participation and sponsorship
-Challenge: Balancing physical and virtual participation
--Response: Exploration of hybrid conference models to expand reach and inclusivity
Next Steps
Next Steps (October 2026 and Beyond)
The 2026 edition is planned as an expanded, higher-impact convening at Four Points by Sheraton Kampala, with a focus on deeper global engagement and strategic SDG alignment.
-Planned enhancements include:
Increased International Participation: Targeting broader global representation from academia, development partners, and policy institutions
-Policy Roundtables and High-Level Dialogues:
Strengthening the translation of research into actionable policy frameworks
-Expanded Partnerships:
Engagement with continental and global networks to position the conference as a premier African platform for SDG-driven knowledge exchange
This initiative reinforces CUUL’s transition from a resource-sharing consortium to a thought leadership and convening institution, shaping discourse on the role of libraries and knowledge systems in sustainable development.
Beneficiaries
The CUUL International Annual Conference delivers multi-layered value across the research, policy, and innovation ecosystem, with beneficiaries spanning local, regional, and global communities:
- Academic and Research Librarians: Strengthened professional capacity in emerging areas such as digital transformation, open science, data stewardship, and user-centred service delivery, alongside exposure to global best practices and peer networks.
- Researchers and Academic Staff: Enhanced opportunities for research dissemination, visibility, and collaboration, enabling scholars to position their work within regional and global SDG discourse.
- Postgraduate Students and Early Career Researchers: Access to mentorship, scholarly engagement, and platforms for presenting research, contributing to capacity development and career progression within academia and research ecosystems.
- Universities and Research Institutions (CUUL Member Institutions): Institutional strengthening through knowledge exchange, policy insights, and adoption of innovative practices in research support, scholarly communication, and digital infrastructure.
- Publishers and Knowledge Partners: Engagement with African research communities, enabling alignment of publishing services with regional needs and fostering inclusive global knowledge systems.
- Policy Makers and Government Agencies: Access to evidence-based insights and policy recommendations emerging from conference deliberations, supporting informed decision-making aligned with national development priorities and SDGs.
- Regional and International Research Community: Increased access to African scholarship and collaborative opportunities, contributing to the diversification and inclusivity of global knowledge production.
- Innovation Ecosystems (Private Sector, Startups, Civil Society): Utilisation of research outputs and discussions to inform innovation, product development, and solutions addressing socio-economic challenges.
Actions
To expand the CUUL International Annual Conference into a high-impact, globally relevant SDG platform, the consortium implemented the following strategic actions:
Conference Planning and Thematic Alignment:
Designed and delivered the annual conference with clearly defined thematic tracks aligned to Sustainable Development Goals.
-Global Convening and Stakeholder Mobilisation:
Organised and hosted the 2025 International Research Dissemination Conference at Imperial Royale Hotel, attracting over 300 participants across Africa and beyond, including librarians, researchers, academics, graduate students, and international publishers.
-Inclusive Participation Framework:
Facilitated broad-based participation through targeted outreach, ensuring representation of:
--Academic and research institutions
--Early career researchers and postgraduate students
--Regional and international knowledge partners
-Research Dissemination and Knowledge Exchange:
Provided structured platforms for paper presentations, panel discussions, and technical sessions to promote the sharing of research findings, best practices, and emerging innovations aligned to SDGs.
-Policy Dialogue and Thought Leadership:
Convened high-level discussions and expert sessions to generate actionable insights and policy-relevant recommendations supporting national and regional development agendas.
-Launch of Scholarly Communication Platform (The African Journal of Library and Information Innovations (AJLII) ):
Successfully launched the CUUL Journal (see https://cuul.or.ug/ajlii/) during the October 2026 conference, establishing a formal, peer-reviewed channel for disseminating African scholarship and advancing research visibility and impact.
-Partnership and Collaboration Development:
Engaged global publishers, academic networks, and regional consortia to strengthen collaboration, sponsorship, and knowledge exchange opportunities.
-Conference Scaling and Future Planning:
Initiated preparations for an expanded 2026 conference at Four Points by Sheraton Kampala, with a focus on increased international participation, enhanced thematic depth, and integration of policy and innovation dialogues.
-Documentation and Knowledge Products:
Compiled conference proceedings, abstracts, and outcome reports to ensure continuity of knowledge sharing and institutional learning.
