The Oxford Tropical Network (OTN) Conference 2025 took place this year in the vibrant coastal city of Mombasa, Kenya, bringing together a diverse community of researchers and scientists from across the globe. Under the theme “Networking for Science Discovery and Impact,” the event highlighted the importance of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and cross-continental partnerships in driving scientific progress, particularly in low- and middle-income country (LMIC) settings.

Representing Malawi and The Global Health Network, Louis Mnyema Ng’oma, Country Coordinator and Postgraduate Diploma student in Global Health Research at the University of Oxford, played an active role in the conference. Louis not only presented a poster but also took on the role of session chair. These experiences offered him valuable opportunities to demonstrate leadership, build networks, and engage meaningfully with peers and senior scientists alike.

Throughout the conference, Louis connected with leading researchers who expressed a strong interest in the impact of the new Oxford Global Health Research course. Their discussions highlighted how the program is shaping new approaches to research and strengthening capacity-building efforts in LMIC contexts.

Reflecting on his experience, Louis described the conference as transformative. It deepened his understanding of global health research implementation and opened doors to future collaborations that will advance both science and practice.

The OTN continues to stand as a vital platform for building partnerships, strengthening health systems, and translating scientific discovery into real-world impact. Events like the Mombasa conference demonstrate the importance of collective effort in addressing global health challenges and advancing research that truly makes a difference.

Click to view photos from the conference: