UNIMA’s innovations stand out at GCM Launch

On August 30, 2023, the University of Malawi was one of six public universities in Malawi showcasing various innovations at the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe (BICC). The National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) provided a platform for these universities to display their innovations during the Grand Challenges Malawi (GCM) launch, held under the theme “Unlocking Strategic Investments through Collaborative Research.” The Grand Challenges prioritize funding opportunities for high-level, quality ideas from researchers and innovators with exciting, groundbreaking research projects.

The UNIMA team comprised four staff members, namely Mr. Vincent Peheliwa, Mr. Masauko Utila, Mr. Thesaurus Charles Namelo, and Mr Hardwell Sauteni from the School of Natural and Applied Sciences’ Physics department. They showcased some of their innovations during the GCM launch, including a Standalone Photovoltaic system, an incubator, and the Beekee Box Digital Library, among others.

The UNIMA team's innovations attracted several prominent individuals who were amazed by them. Among these admirers was the renowned entrepreneur Dr. Napoleon Dzombe. He praised the team for their captivating work and recommended one of the best battery innovators in Malawi to collaborate with the team to further enhance the Standalone Photovoltaic system whose operation he witnessed.

During the exhibition, Honorable Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima, Minister of Education, was thoroughly impressed by the innovations presented by the UNIMA team. She commended the team for their excellent and magnificent innovative work. She further encouraged the team to continue creating innovations, as these will not only assist in the education sector but also enhance the economy of Malawi and address the most critical challenges in Malawi and Africa.

The creativity displayed by University of Malawi scientists through their innovations continues to raise the UNIMA flag.