Malawi University of Science and Technology

Students propose solutions for LWB waste water management Students from Malawi, Uganda and Finland who were on a two-week challenge to assess a waste water management plant for Lilongwe Water Board (LWB), identify challenges and propose some solution, on November 28, 2024 made presentations of their proposed solutions. The students were working under the AgrGrow Student Challenge Programme, a partnership of higher education institutions in Malawi, Uganda, Denmark, Finland and the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM). Among others, it brings together students to develop innovative solutions to challenges that affect people in their communities. Among the challenges identified at the LWB waste water treatment plant in Kauma in Lilongwe, the students noted lack of awareness among communities on what the plant does, its services and how they can access some products like sludge for manure. It was also noted that the plant faces power and financing challenges yet it can utilise its by-products to address these challenges. The solutions from the students, which they came up through assessment f the plant, engagement with LWB and communities and desk research, will be refined following the feedback they got after the presentations. “We really thank the students for their time and effort to come up with these proposals. At this stage they cannot be a final product as some of them need to be tested but they will revise and present them again later,” said Dr Richard Nkhoma who is Head of Engineering Department at MUST. He also thanked LWB management for allowing and opening up to provide space and information to the students to work on the challenge, arguing this is a new concept and can easily be misunderstood by industry players. On his part, Phyllis Mkwezalamba, Wastewater Treatment Manager at LWB said they were happy with what the students presented but urged them to concentrate more on the practical side of their solutions than focusing on theory. “We want solutions that can work on the ground. But we are pleased with the collaboration. It is a new thing and initially we did not understand it but being an innovative institution, we embraced it. We look forward to the refined solutions,” he said The students involved in the challenge came from MUST, Häme University of Applied Sciences in Finland and Bugema University of Uganda and were accompanied by academic staff members as mentors.

MUST ranks among top varsities in sub-Saharan Africa again The Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) has once again been ranked among the best universities in the Times Higher Education (THE) sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings 2024. MUST secured the 22nd position among some of the most prestigious universities in the region. In Malawi, another university ranked in the top 30 is Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar) at position 15. According to THE, the sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings were specifically developed to address the unique challenges faced by higher education institutions in the region. "The ranking follows a hybrid methodology to account for the diverse strengths of the sector. Unlike our other rankings, which tend to focus on a single mission, this one covers elements of teaching, impact, and research," reads a statement issued by THE. THE further notes that the second edition of the rankings introduced significant updates to the original methodology. "After consultations with university stakeholders in sub-Saharan Africa, we added a new pillar – ethical leadership – along with new metrics. We also reorganized existing metrics to align with this new structure and removed some metrics. These changes are detailed in the relevant pillar sections," the statement adds. This marks the second time MUST has achieved a high ranking in the sub-Saharan Africa rankings. In 2023, it was ranked 29th. The rise from 29th to 22nd position highlights the university's dedication to advancing science, technology, and innovation in the country and beyond. This year, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in South Africa, has claimed the top spot with several other South African universities dominating the rankings. Reacting to the development, Director of Research and Outreach at MUST, Professor Alfred Maluwa said the new ranking position is a reflection of the many improvements MUST had made since the last rankings. “We have registered tremendous improvements in critical areas of assessments such as publications, lecturer to student ratio, student enrolment, safeguarding and gender issues and many other areas. We will strive to keep on improving,” he said.

𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐀 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 The African Drone and Data Academy (ADDA) at MUST recently hosted a delegation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Malawi, Makerere University in Uganda, and officials from Ministries of Health in Uganda and Malawi. The visit was a benchmarking exercise aimed at appreciating the works of the academy and exploring ways to leverage drone technology to boost the health sector's operations in both countries. In his welcoming remarks, Professor Wilfred Mandala, Deputy Vice Chancellor for MUST, commended the visitors for their interest in the academy's work. He emphasized that the visit would be mutually beneficial, providing an opportunity for the visitors to learn from the academy's experiences and for the academy to gain insights from the visitors' expertise. Professor Mandala highlighted the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing in driving innovation and improvement in the health sector. Jonathan Ntale, a representative from Uganda, explained that the primary objective of the visit was to gain a deeper understanding of how drones are being utilized at the academy and to explore ways to adapt this technology to improve the operations of the health sector in Uganda. He noted that drones have the potential to develop the delivery of health services, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. During natural disasters, for instance, roads often become impassable, making it challenging for health authorities to deliver essential medical supplies. Drones can help bridge this gap, enabling the rapid and efficient transportation of medical supplies to areas in need. Dr Chikondi Chisenga, Coordinator of ADDA, delivered a presentation on the academy's operations, highlighting the importance of drones in emergency response situations. He emphasized that drones can be used rapidly and efficiently, providing critical support during emergencies. This can include conducting damage assessments, identifying areas of need, and transporting medical supplies. The visitors were given a tour of ADDA's facilities, providing them with a firsthand look at the academy's operations. They also had the opportunity to witness a live demonstration of drone flight by Ndapile Mkuwu, a senior instructor at the academy. The demonstration showcased the capabilities of drones and their potential applications in the health sector. The visit underscored the importance of using drone technology to drive innovation and improvement in the health sector. ADDA is at the forefront of this effort, providing training, research, and innovation in drone technology and its applications.

𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬 The Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) has emphasized the need for an integrated approach to tackle emerging health problems. This approach is known as the One Health concept. Professor Alfred Maluwa, Director of Research and Outreach at MUST, made this call in Blantyre yesterday during a Postgraduate Symposium and International One Health Research Disseminating Conference. "The One Health concept recognizes the connections between humans, animals, and the environment," Professor Maluwa explained. "These connections create new health challenges that threaten humans." Professor Janelisa Musaya, Acting Deputy Director at the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Program, who was the guest of honor during the conference, echoed this sentiment. She urged researchers to work together to find solutions to emerging health challenges. The symposium brought together researchers, academics, and practitioners who shared knowledge and experiences on One Health issues. Conducting such symposiums is essential in promoting health research and practice. It provides a platform for young researchers to present their work, receive feedback, and learn from renowned experts in the field. They also contribute to the development of effective solutions to health problems, improving the well-being of individuals, communities, and the environment. The symposium is a testament for MUST’s commitment in fostering collaboration and innovation in addressing the complex health challenges facing Malawi and the world at large. +5

MUST alumni launch a software-development firm By Shadrek Mweso, LCC-4 Just a month after graduating from MUST, three Business Information Technology (BIT) graduates have launched an innovative software development company called Optimum Systems Limited. Vincent Kaotche, Chawangwa Kamanga, and Shadrek Kasera, all of whom graduated with credits, had been involved in various ICT projects and competitions during their time at MUST. These includes participation in the 2022 UNESCO India Africa hackathon held from November 22 to 25 in India. Already registered, Optimum Systems Limited Company offers Custom Web Systems, Mobile Apps, AI Solutions, Data Analytics, and Web hosting services. In an interview, Kasera, the firm’s Business Operations Manager, said the idea to open the company began while in their third year, particularly after they were exposed to business courses like Economics, Accounting, Corporate Finance, and Business Entrepreneurship. “These courses opened our eyes to the potential of combining business principles with software development skills to address real-world problems,” said Kasera. He said lecturers from the Computer Science and Information Technology Department and the head, Dr Bennett Kankuzi, were also a huge motivation in this inspiring journey. According to Kasera their ambition is to see Optimum Systems Limited becoming a leader in system development, recognized for delivering innovative and reliable solutions while championing Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies such as AI. This development highlights MUST's commitment to nurturing its students to become key leaders in the actualization of MW2063 by offering groundbreaking innovations that facilitate the industrialization of Malawi’s economic sectors.

MUST student wins ICTAM 2024 AgricTech Innovation award By Shadrek Mweso, LCC-4 A MUST first-year Manufacturing Engineering student, Innocent Mandili, has scooped second position in the ICT Association of Malawi (ICTAM) AgriTech category award for his striking innovation in agriculture. ICTAM held its annual general meeting and the Lakeshore Conference Innovation Awards from November 20 to 23, in Mangochi. During the event, it awarded innovators in the National Bank of Malawi (NBM) sponsored ICTAM Innovation Jam. For winning the award, 19-year old Mandili, who is also CEO of MI Technologies and Innovations, went away with a K1 million cheque, courtesy of NBM. To win the award, Mandili submitted a locally-designed and developed eco-friendly and cost-effective automated organic fertilizer production system that converts agricultural wastes like maize husks and sugarcane rind into high-quality fertilizer. In an interview, Mandili said his innovation is sustainable and reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers, thereby promoting environmental conservation, and addressing waste management challenges, making it ideal for smart and sustainable agriculture in Malawi. Mandili, who was also the winner of this year’s SADC CEANGAL Project Local Innovation award for developing a Thermo El Stove device primarily designed for cooking while simultaneously generating electricity, was excited for adding a new award on his shelf. He thanked MUST and everyone for their support. “I feel so excited, honoured and humbled for winning this award. It motivates me to keep driving innovation for sustainable agriculture in Malawi," he said. "This achievement is not just for me but for everyone who supports positive change." This is the second time a student/students from MUST have won this prestigious award. In 2023, a team of eight fourth-year Computer Systems and Security Studies won it for designing and developing a secure Internet of Things (IoT) based chicken farming monitoring system that allows farmers to monitor the health of their birds in real-time. This development aligns well with spirit of the recently launched MUST 2024-2030 strategic plan and responds directly to Agriculture Productivity and Commercialization pillar of the MW2063.

Join us tomorrow for an unforgettable symposium experience, packed with learning, networking, and inspiration!

Happy Sunday to you all and don't forget to save the date for the upcoming symposium.

MUST appreciates the importance of research in academics and more importantly dissemination of research results. And there is no better platform for this than a symposium. As per the poster, one on One Health is just around the corner:

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