VICE CHANCELLORS DISCUSS MW2063 AT WORKSHOP

As a display of leadership in the area of higher education in the country, the University of Malawi recently hosted a maiden workshop for Vice Chancellors (VCs) of all public and private universities in Malawi. The workshop took place in the New Economics boardroom on 10th August, 2022.

The workshop was organized around the theme of “Popularizing the Malawi 2063, its first Ten-Year Plan and the National Research Agenda”. The workshop, which was the first of a series to be held, brought together VCs of higher education institutions (HEIs) who discussed modalities and logistics of working together and contributing to ensuring that Malawi sets a solid foundation for the achievement of Malawi 2063. 

Speaking after the workshop, the host Vice Chancellor, Professor Samson Sajidu said the interface provided invaluable insights into the variety of contributions that universities can offer towards the attainment of the MW2063 and the National Research Agenda.

“For this reason, we commit to lead in the subsequent follow-ups and meetings for the implementation of the proposed joint commitments that we all made. It is therefore our resolve that we shall play the appropriate strategic role and are open to new ideas in improving the objective of our project and partnership”, he said.  

The Vice Chancellor of UNIMA further explained that, during the meeting, universities were challenged to conduct research that provides solutions to the communities in response to the national research agenda. He said with funding from UNICEF, the workshop also oriented the VCs on national priorities as contained in the Malawi 2063 and its first 10-year implementation plan, and the draft 2022-2027 National Research Agenda.

He added that his university was ready to lead in the engagement and collaboration processes in order for the universities to make significant contributions towards the attainment of MW2063.

“We have a very significant role to play in as far as research is concerned and I would propose that fellow VCs should take lead in rallying staff towards creation and implementation of programmes that speak to the attainment of MW2063”, he said.

During the workshop, the National Planning Commission (NPC) made a presentation on the Malawi 2063, its first 10-year implementation plan and the highlights of the draft National Research Agenda. 

The African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) country director, Professor Nyovani Madise, also made a presentation on translating research evidence into policy and programming and the role of HEIs. 

Centre for Social Research under the School of Law, Economics and Government (LEG) coordinated the workshop and Mzuzu University, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Malawi University of Science and Technology, University of Livingstonia, Unicaf University, Malawi Adventist University, and Catholic University of Malawi were among other universities that attended the workshop.