Female scholars acquire grant proposal writing skills

As the University of Malawi desires to enhance research output among all staff members, several experienced scholars have undertaken various initiatives aimed at equipping their colleagues with skills for advancing their academic careers. In support of this objective, the Head of Research, Dr. Maurice Monjerezi, conducted a Research Master Class entitled “The Art of Writing Grant Proposals”. The seminar had the specific goal of assisting female academic scholars in developing grant writing skills.

Female scholars from various departments within UNIMA actively participated in the two-day seminar, both in person and online. The seminar took place at the School of Law, Economics, and Government’s Boardroom on 19th and 20th February 2024.

During the seminar, Dr. Monjerezi highlighted that the Grant Writing classes serve as refresher courses, offering staff the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills in grant proposal writing by learning from experienced colleagues. The event featured presentations from various speakers, including Dr. Evance Mwathunga, Dr. Edister Jamu, Dr Boniface Dulani, and others, who delivered insightful presentations to the female staff. Topics covered during the seminar included navigating rejection and resubmission, research impact and dissemination, research project management and timeline development, as well as the impact of AI in literature review on research.

“Additionally, the classes serve as a platform for interaction, idea sharing, and the formation of long-term research groups,” Monjerezi emphasized. “This facilitates staff members in effectively responding to calls for research proposals.”

The enthusiasm for learning and acquiring additional knowledge in grant writing was evident throughout the seminar, as female scholars continuously posed questions and engaged actively with the presenters. There was a significant level of interest generated around the utilization of AI tools in grant proposal writing, particularly in tasks such as composing a literature review and formulating a research problem.

Dr. Monjerezi expressed appreciation for the participation and the strong turnout of the female scholars, both those who attended in person and online. He also encouraged Early Career Researchers (ECRs) to take full advantage of these seminars and actively participate in upcoming sessions.