By Clara Wadi
The University of Livingstonia, in collaboration with Lancaster University, hosted a two-day workshop on inequality and marginalization at Unilia’s Kaning’ina Campus on February 26–27, 2025. The workshop featured paper presentations on the first day, followed by sessions on journal publishing and grant writing on the second day.
The University’s vice chancellor. Assoc. Prof. Timothy Nyasulu emphasized the significance of the workshop, highlighting its role in strengthening research, writing, and publication at the university. He noted that many universities struggle in these areas, making such workshops essential for academic growth.
He added, "Yes, indeed, we have launched what we call the Vice Chancellor's Research Award. We want to promote, encourage, and ensure that our lecturers and students engage in meaningful research. Therefore, there is an opportunity for competition, where those who produce well-researched work with strong evidence research that can truly transform lives will be recognized.
When lecturers excel in research, it contributes significantly, especially to the vision of Malawi 2063, which emphasizes research, innovation, and stakeholder participation. We believe that through this workshop, participants have gained valuable skills in conducting research, writing, and publishing.
Gift Kadzamira, Director of the National Commission for Science and Technology, emphasized the importance of publishing for innovation. She pointed out that many researchers and academicians in Malawi focus on publishing solely for career advancement, aiming for promotions to become professors. While publishing in peer-reviewed journals is important, she stressed the need to shift towards research that leads to innovation and practical solutions for national challenges.
She further explained the role of the National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) in guiding research and innovation.
"The workshop was about research. NCST is a body mandated to advise the government and all researchers on issues related to research, science, and innovation. In Malawi 2063, vision we saw the country's aspirations and, we developed what we call the National Research Agenda. This agenda highlights research priorities for the country, including five-year priorities in areas such as agriculture, health, and climate change. We are encouraging researchers to engage in collaborative, multidisciplinary research that addresses these key national issues."
Dr. Zanele Nyoni-Wood, Co-Director of the African Research Hub at Lancaster University, shared the motivation behind visiting the University of Livingstonia. She explained that the collaboration was sparked by Mary Sibande Kumwanje’s visit to Lancaster, where discussions on research, capacity building, and institutional growth took place. The visit aimed not only to share knowledge but also to learn about ongoing research at the university and explore future collaboration opportunities.
She stated, "We are here not only to share knowledge but also to learn about the research happening at the institution and explore further collaboration. This workshop is also a learning experience for us at Lancaster University and the African Research Hub. It allows us to identify what works well, what can be improved, and how we can build on this experience for future engagements."
Rev. Madam Nyirenda, one of the workshop participants, expressed how beneficial the experience had been, particularly in building confidence for research presentations. She acknowledged the progress made while also highlighting the need for more focused studies and clearer problem statements.
"Looking at the presentations from yesterday in different areas we prepared, I can say we have done good work. However, there are some areas we need to improve, particularly in having studies that are more focused and developing clear problem statements," he said.
She also emphasized the value of mentorship received during the workshop. "We have been mentored in ways we did not expect. We have learned not only about personal academic growth but also about collaboration. This will help us work better together. I also feel the university needs a dedicated officer for writing grant proposals. We are losing a lot of opportunities it’s like we are sitting on money, but we don’t see it coming to us."
Mary Sibande Kumwanje, Director of Research, urged campuses to strengthen their research efforts, emphasizing its importance in achieving world-class university standards.
"So all campuses have been reached. Let's boost research and create an atmosphere where it thrives, making it a strong pillar of our university."
As researchers, we have been empowered. Let’s apply what we have learned for the growth of our university, our own development, and to address society’s needs." She said.
Prof. Benard Kamanga, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, encouraged early-career researchers to take the next step by submitting abstracts of their research. He emphasized the importance of completing their work and actively participating in upcoming research dissemination events. He highlighted that platforms like these provide valuable opportunities for researchers to share their findings, gain recognition, and contribute to the academic community.
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