The National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) on 22nd March 2023 launched the National Research Agenda (NRA) at Cross-roads Hotel in Lilongwe from 9:00am with the Minister of Education, Honourable Madalitso Kambauwa-Wirima, MP presiding over the launch ceremony as the Guest of Honour.
The National Research Agenda is the first of its kind since NCST has been supporting sector-specific research agendas in the past. The NRA is expected to operationalise research, science, technology and innovations needs of the country, in the ambit of the Malawi 2063 First 10-year Implementation Plan (MIP-1), towards graduating the country into a lower-middle income economy and meeting most of the sustainable development goals by 2030.
The main objective of the NRA is to guide researchers, academic institutions, think-tanks, Centres of Excellence (CoE), local and international research and development stakeholders in generating knowledge, technologies and innovations that will build a knowledge-based economy for Malawi, towards inclusive wealth creation and self-reliance. The development of the NRA signals Malawi’s unwavering commitment and effort to develop and promote the attainment of a knowledge-based economy.
For more details, please click here to download the national research agenda document.
The National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST), on behalf of the Southern African Research Innovation Management Association (SARIMA), is inviting interested researchers to apply for the “Fundamentals of Research Management and Administration” online short course.
SARIMA understands that Research Managers and skilled Administrators are key enablers of excellent research and this course has been designed to give insights and skills to Research Managers and those interested to make research management their profession. This course will Improve their skillset and allow them to deliver maximum returns and enhance the credibility of research organizations and the industry as a whole.
NCST is a focal point of SARIMA in Malawi.
For more information visit; www.digitalcampus.co.za
For the course facts and outline see this document: 27_DigitalCampus-Course-Fact-Sheet-FRM_V.4.3-APR2022
National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) is working towards ensuring that all research and innovations are helping towards achieving the goals of the Malawi 2063 (MW 2063) vision.
National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) in collaboration with the National Planning Commission (NPC), is organizing the 4th National Research Dissemination Conference under the theme; “Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship; the key drivers to an inclusively wealthy and industrialized Nation.” to be held on the 25th to 27th January,2023 at Crossroads Hotel Lilongwe.
NCST has since disclosed it will soon launch a “national research agenda” to align research themes or thematic areas to goals towards achieving MW 2063.
NCST Acting Director General, Gift Kadzamira, made the sentiments on Wednesday 11th January 2023 in Lilongwe when she briefed journalists about the commission’s 4th National Research Dissemination Conference (NRDC)
The forthcoming NRDC will be a platform for local researchers, innovators, experts and think tanks to present available research and innovations and refine and scale them up to be able to solve Malawi’s many challenges.
Kadzamira said Malawi, like many other countries, cannot achieve socioeconomic development without research and innovation.
“Research helps countries to solve problems in many crucial areas including health, agriculture and education, among others. Solution based research and innovation in such areas can also help us achieve our vision as a nation,” said Kadzamira.
She added the conference will, like other NRDCs before, enable NCST to take stock of research results, considering that the commission provides grants to some researchers and innovators to enable them carry out their projects.
NPC Research Manager, Dr. Andrew Jamali, concurred with Kadzamira, adding NRDC “is one of the key interventions in Malawi’s development space as the country is moving towards realizing the vision of an inclusively wealthy and self-reliant nation”.
He further said the nation needs to spin its works towards manufacturing, innovation and science and technology, because manufacturing and industrialization is key to the nation’s vision as it cuts across all the pillars and enablers of MW 2063.
“Our research and innovations need to be transforming the way we do things in the economy and making things easier so that Malawi becomes as competitive as possible within the region towards our aspirations for developing this nation.
“With all the research, innovations and technologies being proposed and advanced, we need to ensure we are enhancing productivity in all sectors of the economy.
“The forthcoming NRDC should be a space where we begin to see how Malawi can harness the potential that exists within the region and the country itself to spin our growth potential and realize the vision we are talking about,” Jamali said.
Pegged at MK39 million, the conference will also attract NGOs, government MDAs and private sector players. The organizers are appealing for more support, saying they have limited resources and that the budget could shoot.
Call for Expression of Interest
Application fees grant: Registered Technology Transfer Professional designation
Application Deadline: 28 February 2023
Technology Transfer Practitioners are invited to put themselves forward as candidates for professional recognition. The professional recognition application fees will be sponsored for the selected candidates- SADC only (excluding South Africa).
Supported by the Department of Science and Innovation and SADC Secretariat, Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA) invites Technology Transfer practitioners from the SADC members states to put themselves forward as candidates for professional recognition. Technology transfer practitioners will be supported to obtain candidate Registered Technology Transfer Professional designation (RTTP) designation through the internationally recognised Alliance of Technology Transfer Professionals (ATTP).
RTTP is the international professional standard for knowledge transfer and commercialization practitioners working in higher education institutions, industry and government labs. The RTTP framework recognizes demonstrated competence and experience across the breadth of technology transfer, from IP commercialization through to university-business collaboration and start-up company creation.
‘Candidate RTTP’ is a designation that allows entrants to the profession to signal that they are committed to a pathway of training and development and are working towards earning RTTP. It indicates to employers that they are serious about their career and aspire to meet the highest standards. Read more on ATTP https://attp.global/
Details on the RTTP application fees grant: Grant will only cover application fees for the Candidate RTTP application.
Qualifying criteria, applicant is:
How to apply: Complete the online expression of interest accompanied by supporting documents Submit the 4 supporting documents listed below to zimasa@sarima.co.za with Subject Line: Candidate RTTP Grant- (Applicants first name and surname) List of supporting documents:
1. Brief Curriculum Vitae (CV)
2. Brief motivation of how your current role is aligned to Technology Transfer and Innovation Management and you would use this opportunity to advance your career in Innovation Management and Technology Transfer (ITT) and contribute to the development and advancement of the ITT management structures and processes within your institution
3. Career Aspiration Plan indicating commitment to skills development through training and working with a mentor. Guideline on preparing Career Aspiration plan
4. Brief, signed statement by your line Manager or Director attesting that the documents attached accurately reflect current role in Knowledge Exchange (KE)/Knowledge Transfer (KT)/Technology Transfer (TT).
5. Letter of Employment
Online expression of interest application to be completed and supporting documents to be submitted by 28 February 2023
Process to be expected by applicant:
• Expressions of interests will be reviewed by a SARIMA-selected panel
• Candidates will be selected by the review panel based on the perceived strength of their expression of interest application for subsequent Candidate RTTP online application
• Selected candidates will be requested to complete candidate RTTP application through the the ATTP online application system
• SARIMA will process application fee directly to ATTP on behalf of selected candidate
Enquiries Please direct enquiries to Ms Zimasa Sobuza @ zimasa@sarima.co.za
The International Professional Recognition Council (IPRC) is excited to announce the next call for applications for the Professional Recognition Programme for Research Management and Administration (RMA).
The IPRC is an outcome of ongoing efforts by the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA) in partnership with the other research management associations in Africa to elevate the profession of RMA. The IPRC is an autonomous body that awards professional designations to research managers and administrators (RMAs) who meet the requirements. The IPRC members are experienced RMAs representing the African and international research management community (click here to read more about the IPRC).
Professional recognition constitutes an award of professional status, which acknowledges the expertise and accomplishment of RMAs through the review of their portfolios of evidence by peers on the Technical Review Committee of the IPRC. The portfolio of evidence provides documented proof of prior learning, competencies, experience, contributions, and achievements.
Once awarded, the professional status is valid for five years, after which the status can be renewed or upgraded.
Why apply for professional recognition?
Professional recognition confirms to employers, colleagues and others in the RMA space that the individual has demonstrated core and transferable (cross-cutting) competencies and that s/he has made significant contributions to research management. It affirms standing in a global context and it provides an impetus for further professional development.
Who can apply?
RMAs from anywhere in Africa who meet the requirements can apply in one of the following categories:
Research Administration Professional (RAP)
This designation recognises individuals with one to three years’ experience and those who have been in the profession for some time but who have not yet advanced professionally. The purpose is to instil a professional identity, and to establish a professional development trajectory towards becoming an RMP, or to maintain recognition as a RAP.
Research Management Professional (RMP)
The aim of this designation is to recognise mid-to advanced career research managers with an undergraduate qualification and a minimum of three years’ relevant work experience, OR a minimum of five years’ relevant work experience without a qualification.
Senior Research Management Professional (SRMP)
This designation recognises senior research managers who serve in leadership or strategic roles. They are required to hold a postgraduate qualification at a master’s level or beyond, and have five years of relevant work experience.
For all categories, applicants must be a current member of a professional research management association.
Application and review process
1. Visit the IPRC website (https://iprcouncil.com/) and review the requirements for the professional category of interest.
2. Select ‘Complete the online application’ for the relevant professional category. You will be required to create an account to log into the application system. On the website, please consult FAQ’s ‘How do I apply’ for further guidance.
3. Complete and submit the online application and pay the application fee by the deadline. Fees can be paid online with a credit card or applicants can request an invoice upon submission of the application.
4. Application is screened for completeness and to confirm that the requirements are met.
5. Peers serving on the IPRC Technical Review Committee reviews the application.
6. Outcome communicated to the applicant within three months of submission depending on the number of applications to be reviewed.
7. Successful applicants add the awarded designation to their credentials.
The application form is available in English and French. The French version can be accessed from 15 December.
Submission dates
You can start your application at any point in time. There will be two closing submission dates. Applications submitted, and fees paid by the deadline will be processed for review. Late or incomplete applications will stand over to a next submission date.
Deadline for submission of the online application 31 March 2023 (Round 1), 31 July 2023 (Round 2)
Deadline for payment of fees 30 April 2023 (Round 1), 31 August 2023 (Round 2)
It is strongly advised that applicants start as early as possible with the application. It will be time-consuming to prepare the portfolio and to collect the evidence to support the activities, contributions and achievements.
Resources and support
• Visit the IPRC website at https://iprcouncil.com/
• Attend the guidance webinar on 14 December 2022 at 13:00 – 14:30 CAT (UTC +02:00) during which the programme and the application process will be explained to prospective applicants. The webinar will be presented in English with simultaneous interpretation to French. Please click here to register for the webinar.
• Contact the IPRC Secretariat:
o Technical support – Armand Barnard at armand@sarima.co.za
o Programme related enquiries and support – Dr Karin Dyason at karin@sarima.ac.za
Fit-for-purpose research contracts create an enabling framework to ensure that projects and collaborations proceed smoothly in order to deliver the desired outcomes, while protecting the interests of all parties. On the other hand, unsuitable agreements or contract terms can impact negatively on internal and external relationships, delay or hinder projects and lead to disputes. This course is designed to equip attendees with the necessary skills and knowledge to facilitate successful contracts for their institutions and clients. Attendees will learn how to:
• Understand the key roles of and relationships between various stakeholders
• Understand contract structure
• Understand and interpret key clauses
• Simple drafting (eg from precedents, amendments)
• Manage contract negotiations
• Critically assess acceptability of contract terms and amendments
• Manage contracts post-execution
Date: 29-30 November 2022. Please register by Thursday, 24 November (15:00 SAST)
Cost: R3630 (member) and R4719 (non-member)
Please note: This course is Virtual. The joining instructions to the workshop will be sent a day before the event. Prices are listed excl. VAT.
The National Commission for Science and Technology organized the 11 th National Secondary Schools Science Fair on 24 th -26 th October, 2022 hosted at Kamuzu Academy under the theme, “Promoting Scientific and Technological Innovations in Students-a Basis of Social Economic Development in Malawi.” The fair is organized to create a platform for secondary school students to display scientific innovations of their schools.
A total of 44 secondary schools including National secondary schools, Open secondary schools and community day secondary schools across the country, participated by displaying their different projects at the fair. The participants competed in different categories that aimed at bringing solutions to the communities namely, Environment and climate change, Energy sources, Health and Technological innovations.
Lilongwe Girls Secondary School, won this year’s science fair with a cash prize of K250,000 for developing a smart incubator project under the Technological Innovations category, followed by Blantyre Secondary School on second position with K220,000 for displaying a project that converts carbon dioxide to oxygen. Both schools were also given trophies.
The Guest of honor, Deputy Minister of education, Hon. Monica Chang’anamuno, MP, was impressed with what the young students displayed in alignment with the Malawi 2063 vision. She said, it is what we need as a country to discover those innovations and bring them to light and not just letting them die.
She was happy to see students, not only from national secondary schools but also from Community Day secondary schools which she said it is a motivation to them to see their projects being recognized. She encouraged the young students to continue to be innovative because as the country struggles with un-employment, it is the innovations that will create
more employment for them and friends.
In her remarks, Acting Director General of National Commission for Science and Technology Gift Kadzamira, said this years Science Fair has improved to compare with the previous ones in terms of the ideas of the different innovations. She said as the organizers they want to add more value to the coming science fairs for example adding more days to bring all partners together and plan as early as possible.
In addition, she said the science fair shouldn’t just be about exhibiting the innovations but to include mentoring sessions and career talks to the secondary school students to enlighten them so that they can be able to know and enroll into different universities.
She also said that the commission is aiming at putting more resources to improve the
innovations so that at the end of the fair, the recognized innovations can be improved and help
in commercialization so that at the end of the day the outcome should contribute towards
national transformation of vision Malawi 2063.
Keynote Speaker Mr. Corled Nkosi, appreciated and thanked all the institutions that helped him
to get where he is now. He encouraged his fellow students to work hard and make use of time
wisely. He said since we live in a world of internet and social media, it is better to use the
internet to learn something than just playing on social media platforms.
Some of the partners that made the event a success at the 2022 national school science fair were, NCST, Press Trust, MUST, MUBAS, Lab enterprise, MBS, Ethco, and mHub.
4TH NATIONAL RESEARCH DISSEMINATION CONFERENCE, 23RD -25TH NOVEMBER 2022 CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
1. Introduction
The National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) was established by the Science and Technology Act Number 16 of 2003 to advise the Government and other stakeholders on all science and technology matters in order to achieve a science and technology led development. The mission of the NCST is to promote, support, coordinate and regulate the development and application of science, technology and innovation in order to create wealth and improve the quality of life. In pursuit of this mission NCST in collaboration with its partners, is organizing the 4th National Research and Dissemination Conference, whose theme is ‘Research, innovation and entrepreneurship the key drivers to an inclusively wealthy and industrialized nation.” to be held as follows:
DATES: 23RD -25TH NOVEMBER 2022 VENUE: LILONGWE
The objectives of the conference are:
The conference will comprise, key note addresses, paper presentations, poster presentations, technology/innovation exhibits.
NCST is therefore calling on all interested researchers and innovators to submit abstracts for paper or poster presentations at the conference. Note that the abstracts will undergo technical review and only successful applicants will be asked to prepare full papers.
The abstract should contain Title, Author and contacts (include Affiliation, Sub-theme, Introduction, Purpose/Objectives, Methodology, Results, Conclusion and Keywords. The abstracts should in Ms Word not exceed 300 words, Single spacing, Times New Roman font 12.
Abstracts should be submitted by close of business on 12th August 2022 Friday. All successful applications will be required to submit full papers of their presentations by 30th September 2022.
The Abstracts should fall under any of the following thematic areas:
Researchers and other participants shall be required to pay a registration fee of MK80,000.00 while students shall pay MK40,000.00 each to cover the cost of lunch, refreshments, and venue. Successful applicants will however be required to finance own accommodation, transport and subsistence allowances.
Submission of abstracts and all other enquiries should be made by email or post to the following address:
The Director General
National Commission for Science and Technology
Lingadzi House, City Centre
P/Bag B303
Lilongwe3
Tel: +265 1 771550
Fax: +265 1 772431
Email: nrdc@ncst.mw, cc: ichingota@ncst.mw
African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in conjunction with National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) which is under the Ministry of Education, on 1st April, 2022 launched an open forum on agricultural biotechnology (OFAB) Malawi chapter. OFAB, a project of AATF, expedites productive conversations among key stakeholders and decision makers on agricultural biotechnology. For both policymakers and the larger public, OFAB also accelerates eminence engagements and conversations on the safety and benefits of modern biotechnology.
The guest of honour, Minister of Education, Hon. Agness NyaLonje appreciated the commission for its efforts in advancing Science Technology and Innovation in Malawi. She however challenged that there is a need to embrace the value of relationship between human sciences and natural sciences In order to develop good communication so that science technology and innovation is understood at grassroots and not only to scientists and researchers, this will help to instill positive uptake on biotechnology in Malawi.
Prof. Elijah Wanda, the Director General of NCST positively agreed that with the coming of OFAB it will ensure that farmers have access to improved seeds for a sustainable food security and agriculture-driven economic development in Malawi. One of the seeds that have seen taking shape already is that of BT Cotton, with BT cotton farmers can testify that they have started recording high productivity as compared to the past. Prof. E. Kaunda who is the board chair for NCST, concurred that OFAB Malawi chapter will be a catalyst for linkages and interactions between policy makers, research scientists, farmers, and private sector on embracing biotechnology to improve the agriculture sector.
With an assurance the Director General for NCST made a promise that the commission will continue to execute its mandate which is to advise the Government and other stakeholders on all science and technology matters in order to achieve a science and technology led development in line with Malawi Vision 2063.
Dr Canisius Kanangire, AATF Executive Director said the launch of OFAB Malawi chapter comes at a time when Malawi is keen to sustain its efforts towards the commercialisation of products emanating from agricultural Biotechnology. He further said since the dawn of AATF it has facilitated access to technological worth over 400 million US dollars for use by over 10 million farmers in Africa ranging from better seeds, digital tools, and agricultural mechanisation solutions. In winding up he congratulated Malawi for giving other African countries an opportunity to learn from its experiences especially on BT cotton.
As part of prelaunch activities AATF in conjunction with NCST conducted a two days media training on science communication at BICC for the journalists, communication practitioners, and members of the NCST. The training was aimed at equipping and imparting knowledge to the journalists and communication practitioners in Malawi on how best they can report or cover stories of biotechnology and STI in general to ease understanding across Malawians, this was done with an understanding of a crucial role the media plays in communicating with general public. OFAB is being implemented in nine countries such as; Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and Malawi also being its new 10th chapter.
Where ever OFAB dwells on benefits such as; commitment in ensuring that smallholder farmers benefit from access to products of biotechnology, it also focuses on better yields and profits for commercial farmers who are using biotech crops such as BT maize, BT cotton and BT cowpea. And lastly is also settles on improving environmental impact of farming due to genetically engineered crops that have cut chemical pesticide use by 37%, increased crop yields by 22% and boosted farmer profits by 68%
