UNIMA Students engage in global exchange on social work and inclusion

The Department of Sociology and Population Studies at UNIMA has several international collaborations, one of which is a partnership with Diaconia University of Applied Sciences in Finland. One of the key areas of collaboration is the exchange of staff and students. Four students, Hastings Mkungula (Social Work, 4th Year), Sellah Yekha (Gender Studies, Final Year), Rabecca Hande (Social Work, Final Year), and Mwayi Mtapaonga (Social Work, 3rd Year) recently traveled to Finland to participate in an exchange program involving social work students from various countries.

The program took the form of a learning workshop on the theme of Diversity and Inclusion for Social Cohesion (DISCO), with participation from students across seven countries: Finland, Estonia, Norway, the Czech Republic, Germany, South Africa, and Malawi.

The workshop was held from 11th to 15th November 2024, and the students were accompanied by their lecturer, Mr. Austin Ndala, who was also a staff participant in the exchange program.

Students from different countries presented topics on the theme of inclusion, and the UNIMA students delivered a presentation on the university’s efforts to accommodate students with disabilities. Currently, UNIMA is the only public university in Malawi that provides such accommodations. Mr. Ndala shared that some of the activities during the workshop included showcasing the diverse cultures of the participating countries, and students had the opportunity to explore the city of Helsinki and learn from it.

“The workshop was a great learning platform for me. I learned from my colleagues around the world, and the knowledge I have gained will certainly enhance my teaching delivery,” said Mr. Ndala.

One of the students, Hastings Matthew Mkungula, expressed excitement about the workshop. He highlighted the gaining of valuable insights from the workshop on Diversity for Social Cohesion. “One of the most important lessons was understanding how individuals from different backgrounds experience and define social problems uniquely,” he noted. He also emphasized the importance of contextual sensitivity when addressing social issues.

Mkungula further highlighted that engaging with students from countries such as the Czech Republic, Estonia, Norway, Germany, South Africa, and Finland broadened his perspective on how global diversity can be achieved. “As a social worker, I feel privileged to have attended this workshop after taking courses on Disability and Diversity this semester, as the topics covered were central to the workshop,” he explained. He added that these courses provided him with a foundational understanding of inclusion, cultural competence, and related issues, which significantly facilitated his participation.

The students stated that the workshop was transformative and equipped them with the tools and confidence to excel both as students and as professionals. It further reinforced their commitment to making meaningful contributions in the field of social work and beyond.