School of Education hosts Hiroshima University guests

At the University of Malawi, students often have the opportunity to interact with both fellow students and staff members from various international universities, which aids in their learning and gaining of valuable knowledge from scholars and peers worldwide. UNIMA regularly hosts visitors from these universities, so they can appreciate the campus infrastructure, student life as well as programmes offered. Recently, on 26th February 2024, the School of Education welcomed visitors from Hiroshima University. The guests included 3 staff members and 10 undergraduate students. 

The aim of the visit was for the students to learn more about the University of Malawi as well as the culture of Malawi in general. The visit commenced with a university tour, during which the guests from Hiroshima marveled at the campus’s beauty, particularly the lecture rooms and university library, among other facilities. Throughout the tour, students from both universities interacted, sharing their respective experiences.

After the tour, an enthralling presentation was delivered by Dr. Annie Chiponda, the Head of the Department of Curriculum and Teaching Studies (Social Studies and Language), in the boardroom of the School of Education. In her presentation, she focused on the political, social, and economic history of Malawi from 1891 to the present. She provided a brief overview of Malawi, its journey to independence, and the history of education in the country. Additionally, she elaborated on the history of the University of Malawi, offering insights for the visitors to appreciate the institution’s legacy.

In his speech during the function, the Dean of the School of Education, Dr. Peter Namphande, provided information on the partnership between UNIMA and Hiroshima University. He highlighted the main pillars of collaboration outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two universities in 2021. These pillars include a reciprocal student exchange programme involving academic and cultural visits, as well as the provision of online learning programmes.

Namphande further stated that currently, a student in the School of Education at UNIMA is pursuing his Master’s degree at Hiroshima University under a scholarship provided by the Japanese government. Additionally, he mentioned that Hiroshima University offers certificate courses online, providing numerous students from UNIMA with the opportunity to learn, and Hiroshima University covers the expenses.

 “Collaborations like these provide a valuable link for the School of Education at UNIMA to learn from international universities and offer members of staff the opportunity to engage with international scholars, discussing areas of common interest for potential research collaborations,” he said. “Such exchanges also allow our students to connect with their international peers, facilitating the exchange of views that may lead to additional opportunities in the future."