Celebrated under the theme; Strengthening partnerships across the School of Science and Technology, the event reflected on WASHTED’s research contributions towards the provision of quality water and sanitation services in the country. 

Director of Science, Technology and Innovation in the Ministry of Education, Associate Professor Chomora Mikeka hailed WASHTED for its significant contributions towards the improvement of water, sanitation and hygiene services, more especially among rural communities. 

 Mikeka challenged researchers to take a leading role in the transformative agenda of the country. He said that each community has its own needs and challenges hence a need for researchers to contextualize their work in order to provide impactful solutions to local communities. 

‘’ It is imperative that all academic institutions, be it universities, colleges and other training institutions engage in evidence-based research which is crucial for policy formulation as we strive to attain the 2063 vision,’’ said Mikeka.

He said his department will continue to collaborate with other institutions and partners to drive the research agenda of the country.

‘’ Research should go beyond lecture rooms, workshops and laboratories. Researchers need to go to communities to assess, research and develop solutions for the people,’’ he added.

In his remarks, Executive Dean for the School of Science and Technology Associate Professor Mphatso Kamndaya said since its establishment, WASHTED has played a leading role in improving water and sanitation services in many rural communities. 

He said among its notable achievements, the centre is providing safe water to maternal health centres in Thekerani and Chingazi in Thyolo District and it is also providing clean and safe water in some communities in Chikwawa District.

‘’ We have developed technologies that are being used for providing safe water in so many rural communities and it is our wish to upscale these technologies so that many communities should benefit,’’ he said.

He added that WASHTED will continue to collaborate with other partners in order to extend its reach beyond the districts where it is currently operating.

WASHTED was established in 2003 as a semi-autonomous unit within the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences. It is a training and research centre and it offers a multi and interdisciplinary range of skills through its affiliated members who are   drawn from all schools within the institution. It also hosts experts from its international partner institutions.