ISUTC Scientific Conferences highlight low-cost solutions for the country's challenges

The 4th Scientific Conference of the Higher Institute of Transport and Communications (ISUTC) brought together more than 250 participants in Maputo on September 30th and October 1st to present and discuss solutions to specific challenges facing Mozambique. The meeting highlighted infrastructure resilience, sustainable urban mobility, and the application of research to the country's needs.

Under the theme "Infrastructure and Planning: Building a Resilient and Sustainable Mozambique," the conference brought together students, teachers, researchers, and representatives from public and private entities, promoting knowledge sharing and closer ties between academia and the sectors responsible for the development and management of infrastructure and services.

The scientific presentations covered areas such as engineering, information technology, management, economics, finance, and basic sciences. Among the works presented were studies on permeable pavements, sustainable building materials, valorization of plastic waste, solar systems, agricultural robotics, and applications of artificial intelligence.

Flood control, urban drainage, precision agriculture, health, and the management of public and private services were among the other topics discussed. One of the aspects highlighted at the meeting was the presentation of low-cost solutions, adaptable to the national context and geared towards local needs.

At the closing ceremony, the best works from the six areas corresponding to the academic departments of ISUTC were recognized. The awards acknowledged research on the use of polyethylene waste in flooring, the optimization of equipment for the manufacture of printed circuit boards, shared university mobility, the compression of packaging for recycling, the financial soundness of the insurance sector, and the relationship between mosquito population growth and malaria cases. Lesley Mazuze received the Sheleads Mozambique Women Researcher Award for her work on the quality of bricks produced with high and low density plastic waste as the main binder.

In addition to the academic community of ISUTC, researchers and professors from other higher education institutions participated, as well as representatives from entities such as ANE, the SIR Motors Group, and TECNEL.

With this fourth edition, ISUTC reinforces the link between research, training and the practical application of knowledge, promoting dialogue with public institutions and companies to respond to the challenges of sustainable development in Mozambique.