By Ikome Christie-Noella Eposi in Buea
The University of Buea (UB) once again took the lead in fostering academic excellence and innovation as it hosted the 4th International Research Conference on Friday, October 24, 2025, at the Dorothy Limunga Njeuma Amphitheatre. This year’s conference which held under the theme, “Enhancing Research Visibility: Strategies for Success,” brought together researchers, academic staff, and postgraduate students to explore practical ways of improving the visibility and accessibility of research output at both national and international levels.
The event was officially opened by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Research, Cooperation, and Relations with the Business World, Professor Kingsley Lyonga Ngange, who also served as the conference organiser. In his presentation on “Engaging in Science Communication: Optimising Online Presence and Academic Networks,” Professor Ngange emphasised that visibility is not merely about publishing but also about effectively communicating research to the global academic community and the general public.
The Keynote Address was delivered by Dr. Clifford Chuwah, who spoke on “Publishing in High-Quality and High-Indexed Journals.” Dr. Chuwah provided valuable insights into the standards, strategies, and expectations for publishing in reputable journals, urging researchers to prioritise quality, integrity, and accessibility in their scholarly work.
Several experts contributed presentations focusing on various strategies to promote research visibility. These included topics such as presenting at conferences and webinars, cross-institutional research collaborations, open-access publishing, scientific writing and rigor, and mentorship in academic growth. Participants were particularly engaged in discussions around how to evolve from mentee to mentor and how mentorship drives continuity and excellence in academic research.
At the end of the day-long conference, Professor Ngomo Horace Manga, Vice Chancellor of the University of Buea, expressed deep satisfaction with the quality of discussions and thanked Professor Ngange and his team for the successful organisation of the event. He commended the conference’s focus on practical and ethical strategies to make UB’s research more visible globally.
The conference concluded with a set of nine key resolutions aimed at guiding future research practices and policies within the University and beyond. Foremost among these was the call for stronger collaboration at multiple levels within the University, between UB and other national and international institutions, with government entities, private industries, and global researchers. Such partnerships, participants agreed, form the backbone of scientific breakthroughs and innovation.
Another major resolution underscored the need for UB’s research to be published in high-impact journals and made more accessible across Cameroon and Africa. To achieve this, participants recommended increased cooperation between universities and publishing houses.
The conference also stressed that presentations at conferences and webinars should serve to inspire and connect, not merely to impress. Presenters were encouraged to prepare rigorously, use clear and compelling messages, and always link their findings to global scientific and community impact.
Participants further highlighted the importance of reader-focused writing, the creation of institutional repositories to enhance open access, and the avoidance of unethical research practices such as plagiarism, data falsification, and undeclared conflicts of interest. According to the resolutions, maintaining scientific rigor and research integrity directly contributes to visibility and credibility.
One key takeaway from Professor Ngange’s presentation was the need to optimise online presence through consistent engagement, content development, and authentic interaction across academic networks and platforms. In today’s digital age, he noted, a researcher’s online visibility is often the first step to global recognition.
Finally, the conference reaffirmed that mentorship is central to research visibility and continuity. Senior academics were urged to support emerging scholars, while postgraduate students were encouraged to embrace peer-mentoring and international mentorship networks. The Vice-Chancellor further emphasized the creation of equipment pools in various establishments to facilitate scientific research and enhance visibility.
The 4th International Research Conference thus reaffirmed the University of Buea’s commitment to fostering a vibrant research culture rooted in collaboration, ethics, and global engagement. As participants departed, the message was clear: for research to make an impact, it must not only be done well, it must also be seen, shared, and valued across borders.