OPPORTUNITY FOR MAMSC RESEARCH FUNDING NSOMBA NCHUMA PROJECT

Evidence from projects on improved fish processing technologies (IFPTs) projects in Malawi and Zambia has shown that these technologies are environmentally friendly, effective and economically viable fish processing technologies. However, scaling efforts have been challenged by inadequacy of available financing mechanisms. With funding from The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), the Department of Economics at Chancellor College, Fisheries Research Unit (FRU), FDH Bank Limited, WorldFish, and People Trading Centre (PTC) Limited are implementing a project with the aim of developing and testing strategies for scaling up of improved fish processing technologies (solar tent dryers and improved smoking kilns). More importantly, the project is developing and testing an innovative financing mechanism that can facilitate the adoption of the improved fish processing technologies. The specific objectives of the project include:

  • Develop gender inclusive financing products for increasing adoption of improved fish processing technologies;

  • Increase production and marketing of quality processed fish products by increasing participation of women and the youth in the fish value chain; and

  • Evaluate the impact of scaling strategies on economic empowerment of men, women and the youth.

The project is now inviting interested MSc/MA students from any recognized university in Malawi to apply for research funding for their dissertations. The students should be in their research/dissertation/thesis year. The students will collect data within the project and the project will provide resources for this exercise. The students should be willing to write their dissertations in one or more of the following research areas; 

  • Assessment of the performance of the gender inclusive innovative financing mechanism

  • Assessment of the effect of improved fish processing technologies on fish postharvest losses

  • Assessing the profitability and marketability of fish processed through improved fish processing technologies

  • Measuring and assessing the impact of improved fish processing technologies scaling on economic empowerment of women and youth.

Requirements

  • Registered MSc/MA students with any public university in Malawi in a relevant fields.

  • Co-supervision of the thesis with a member of the research project.

  • Willing to turn the thesis into publishable article(s).

  • PhD candidates who are following the essay format may be considered if they want to write one of their essays under the project.

  • Female students are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Procedure

Interested students should submit an application that should include their course year examination results; a two paged concept note defining research problem, objectives and tentative methodology; plus a letter of recommendation from their supervisor to economics@cc.ac.mw with a copy to Dr Levison Chiwaula at lschiwaula@cc.ac.mw by 20th June 2019.