Name: Symon Osman Mandala
Qualifications: MSc(Env.); BSc(Bio &Dem)
PhD Candidate, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Symon Osman Mandala is a Chief Technology Transfer Officer in the Commission. He is responsible for planning and implementing programmes and activities that aim at effective dissemination, commercialization and utilization of technologies and other research results to end-users. He also devises and implements programmes that recognize scientific excellence among the young researchers, besides science fairs to inculcate a science and technology culture at all levels of society.
Symon holds a Masters Degree in Environmental Science, a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in biology and demography and he is currently studying for a PhD (climate change) at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR).
Before joining the NCST, Symon has worked with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology as a secondary school teacher; the National Research Council of Malawi (NRCM) as a Senior Scientific Officer (SSO); Ministry of Industry, Science and Technology, as a Principal Science and Technology Officer (PSTO), responsible for Education Skills and Development, where among others he was instrumental in institutionalizing gender issues in science, technology and innovation.
He has also worked as a part time Lecturer at Bunda College of Agriculture, lecturing in Environmental Management.