Tertiary institutions dared to innovate
The National Planning Commission (NPC) has challenged universities to come up with quality innovations and commercialise them, saying this is important in operationalising the Malawi 2063 (MW2063).
NPC director general Thomas Chataghalala Munthali made the sentiments on Thursday at the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Technical Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority (Teveta) and Malawi University of Science and Technology (Must) at the institution’s Thyolo Campus.
He said institutions such as Must play an integral role in contributing to the realisation of the MW2063; hence, applauding the MoU signed between Must and Teveta that seeks to promote innovations across the country.
Said Munthali: “This is an important milestone because in MW2063 there are three key inter-related pillars to meet the vision of an inclusive wealth and self-reliant upper middle income industrialised nation.
“What Must and Teveta have done is bringing artisans together and this is what we are trying to promote in Malawi and it is part of our agenda on becoming an industrialised nation.”
He further stressed that Must is setting the pace on innovations which is critical as regards to the MW2063 and that it is through such innovations that the country will benefit in the long run.
On her part, Must vice-chancellor Professor Address Malata said through the collaboration with Teveta, they will make a difference and positively contribute to the vision.
“The idea is that Malawi has talent and innovators but we need to make sure that whatever people are actually innovating should come to fruition where innovations can be used for development of the country,” she said.
Malata said Must is embracing commercialisation and that in the process they are also ensuring that innovators are well-protected, in addition to a entrenching a culture of entrepreneurship in them.
Ministry of Education director of science, technology and innovations Dr Chomora Mikeka urged institutions to come up with innovations that will make a difference in the country.
Among others, the MoU seeks to harness innovations and ideas from local communities and students.
