Scholars awarded grants for research

On September 15, 2022, the University of Malawi, through the office of the Dean of Research, awarded research grants to 8 academic members of staff. These grants are drawn from the University of Malawi Research Fund (UNIMAReF) with support from the University of Malawi Research Ethics Committee (UNIMAREC) and UNICEF. The grants are worth a total of MWK31.5 million. 

The function was presided over by the Acting Executive Dean of Education, Dr Peter Namphande, on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Malawi. In his remarks, Dr Namphande said that research helps to develop policies and that evidence-based research that the University of Malawi is conducting in the country in different areas has the potential of bringing solutions to the challenges the country is facing and helping the country to achieve its 2063 agenda.

Commenting on the same, the University of Malawi Dean of Research, Associate Professor Mangani Chilala Katundu, observed that one of the criteria used in university ranking is research output and academic excellence, hence the funds given to the researchers will go a long way in helping to enhance research at the university. He further said that there is a need for institutions of higher learning to capitalise on research if the country is to achieve Malawi 2063. 

In her remarks, Chief Research, Evaluation and Knowledge Management for UNICEF Malawi, Dr Mussarrat Yossuf, pointed out the organisation thought it wise to partner with the University of Malawi to support the young researchers with capacity building in order to strengthen research in different areas in the country.

On behalf of the awardees, UNIMA analytical chemist, Dr Margaret Maoni, said that the results from the grants received have the potential to contribute to the development of the country. The other awardees include Dr Rachael Chimbwete-Phiri, Dr Benson Munyenyembe, Dr Mayeso Lazaro, Mr Kondwani Chikadza, Ms Laeticia Pemba, Dr Edister Jamu and Dr Bernadette Malunga.

The function was followed by capacity-building training for young and upcoming researchers which was attended by other researchers from the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Mzuzu University (MZUNI) the Catholic University of Malawi (CUNIMA) and University of Livingstonia (UNILIA).