Bridging Secondary and Higher Education: St Andrews Visits UNIMA
A group of Year 9 and Year 10 students from St Andrews International High School visited the University of Malawi (UNIMA) on 10th February, 2026, to gain insight into university life and interact with students and staff from the School of Natural and Applied Sciences.
The visit formed part of an ongoing partnership between UNIMA and St Andrews International High School aimed at strengthening the link between secondary and higher education. Through this collaboration, UNIMA students are attached to St Andrews to mentor learners and support academic activities, while also gaining practical experience.
Speaking during the engagement, Professor Cosmo Ngongondo, Executive Dean of the School of Natural and Applied Sciences, said the interaction reflects the University’s broader commitment to outreach and community engagement.
“As a national university, our responsibility goes beyond teaching and research within our campuses,” he said. “We are committed to engaging with schools, communities, and industry to inspire learning, share knowledge, and nurture future innovation.”
He added that the visit demonstrated the University’s open-door approach to supporting young learners.
“Today’s interaction clearly shows how the University opens its doors to support young minds at an early stage, helping students see what is possible in higher education and beyond,” he said
The visit focused on the Computing, Mathematics, and Physics departments. During the engagement, the St Andrews students presented research projects that showcased their knowledge, creativity, and potential in science-related disciplines. The presentations also highlighted the value of introducing guided research at an early stage of learning.
The projects were supervised by UNIMA students from the three departments who are attached to St Andrews as part of the University’s outreach programme aimed at promoting science and technology education.
The visiting students also toured lecture theatres, laboratories, and other learning facilities within the Computing, Mathematics, and Physics departments. They interacted with academic staff and current university students, gaining first-hand insight into the academic environment, available programmes, and expectations at tertiary level.
Mr Abdul Jabbar, Head of Mathematics and Computer Science at St Andrews International High School, expressed gratitude to UNIMA students and staff for their continued support and dedication to the partnership between the two institutions.
The visit once again reaffirmed UNIMA’s commitment to nurturing future scientists, innovators, and leaders by creating meaningful engagement opportunities that expose secondary school learners to the realities and possibilities of university education.
