UNIMA researchers Showcase Malawi's Nutrition Research at International Congress in the United Kingdom

The University of Malawi (UNIMA) has strengthened its international research profile after showcasing innovative work on digital dietary assessment and nutrition surveillance at the Nutrition Society Summer Congress 2026, held in Newcastle, United Kingdom, from 21 to 24 July 2026.

Dr. Yankho Kaimila, a senior lecturer in the department of Biological sciences and biomedical sciences and a Principal Investigator of the Malawi National Dietary Intake Survey (MANDIS) project, and Miss Clara Temwanani Mtonga, a Project Manager for MANDIS presented research abstracts highlighting Malawi's progress towards establishing its first National Dietary Intake Survey.

The two research abstracts were developed from the MANDIS project's Kick-off Stakeholder Meeting held in March this year.

The presentations demonstrated the University's commitment to advancing evidence-based nutrition research through the adaptation of the digital dietary assessment platform, Intake24, for use in Malawi.

The first abstract examined the usability of the Intake24 digital dietary assessment tool in the Malawian context, demonstrating its strong potential for national implementation while identifying the need for localisation to reflect local foods, languages, and dietary practices.

The second abstract highlighted the co-creation process of the MANDIS project, showcasing how stakeholder engagement is shaping the development of the national survey through recommendations aimed at ensuring its successful implementation.

In addition to presenting the research, Dr. Kaimila also chaired an Original Communications session during the congress, contributing to the scientific programme and facilitating research discussions among delegates from around the world.

The congress provided UNIMA with an opportunity to strengthen collaborations with international research partners, share Malawi's experiences in developing digital nutrition surveillance systems, and contribute to global discussions on improving dietary assessment through innovative technologies.

The MANDIS project is jointly funded by the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under the MRC/FCDO Concordat Agreement. The project is being implemented through the University of Malawi in collaboration with Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), the National Statistical Office (NSO), the Department of Nutrition and Health (DNH), and international partners at the University of Cambridge and the University of Reading.