Gulu University participating in 15 th International Conference on Networked Learning (NLC 2026) in Vrije Universiteit Brussels.

Gulu University is participating in the 15 th International Conference on Networked Learning (NLC 2026) in Vrije Universiteit Brussels.

The university is represented by Dr. Tabo OlokGeoffrey, a lecturer at Faculty of Science, and two other staff, Drateru Perry Vivian and OkotDavid Pakono who are both pursuing their PhDs.The conference running from 6 th -8 th May 2026 and being hosted by the FARI-AI for the Common Good Institute and d-teach, focuses on networked learning in higher education, lifelong learning and professional development, and the three scholars from Uganda are representing both Gulu University and the African Academic Community on the global stage.

 The conference commenced with a Doctoral Symposium on 6 th May 2026, during which the two PhD students presented their individual doctoral research projects. Drateru Perry Vivian presented a paper examining policy for strengthening health systems within institutions and their implication for wider policy learning, while Okot David Pakono presented a paper focusing on change management for ICT integration in teaching and learning in higher education.

Their presentations contributed to wider scholarly discussions on institutional transformation, innovation and sustainable development in resource-constrained settings. Their joint workshop presentation in the conference, titled “Adopting PBL-Hybrid in Resource Constraint Settings: Perspectives from Gulu University,” examined the concepts of Problem- and Project-Based Learning (PBL), Design Thinking and Hybrid Learning.

The team introduced a PBL-Hybrid Implementation Methodology and further reflected on implementation experiences and emerging lessons related to technology-enhanced teaching and learning within resource-constrained higher education contexts. The delegation stood out as the sole team from Gulu University and the only participants from African universities at the conference, reflecting the increasing visibility of Gulu University in international discussions on educational innovation and digital transformation. The occasion was further marked by a reception at the historic Brussels Town Hall, where the team shared a memorable moment with Alderman (Deputy Mayor) of Brussels, Frederik Ceulemans.