Malawi US-based Professor named in Fulbright Association board
A US-based Malawian university lecturer Dr. Zipangani Vokhiwa, who is an associate professor of science in Mercer University’s Penfield College, has been named to the board of the Georgia Chapter of the Fulbright Association.
In a statement made available to Nyasa Times , Dean of Penfield College Dr. Priscilla Danheise says he is delighted that Dr. Vokhiwa has been recognized by the Fulbright Association in this way and that “he will, through his continuing involvement, assist us in identifying new opportunities for Mercer students and faculty to engage in furthering the mission of this organization that has transformed the lives of so many,”
According to the statement, Dr. Vokhiwa served as principal investigator for an $84,220 Fulbright Hays Group Projects Abroad grant awarded to Mercer by the U.S. Department of Education in 2012.
“He led a team of 10 teachers and two administrators from Metro Atlanta on a four-week trip to his home country of Malawi to collect data for a research project, titled “The Interaction of Environment and Culture in Malawi,” read the statement in part.
Vokhiwa has also led three Mercer On Mission trips to Malawi – in 2010, 2011 and 2013 – where students worked at two orphanages and watershed sites to address water quality and environmental sustainability initiatives alongside community leaders.
“Dr. Vokhiwa spoke at the launch of the Health Core Track of the Georgia Chapter of the Fulbright Association, held March 21 at the University of Georgia, where he participated on a panel of global health experts. He shared data and explored a viable path toward the organization working to positively impact water sanitation in Malawi.”
Harriet Fulbright, the widow of U.S. Sen. J. William Fulbright, also spoke at the meeting, sharing thoughts on her late husband’s vision for the Fulbright Association.
In his remarks, Vokhiwa says he was very grateful for the opportunity to serve this extraordinary organization that promotes international educational exchange for Americans and other foreign nationals.
“Through my service to the Georgia Chapter of the Fulbright Association, I hope to bring new opportunities to Mercer faculty and students to partner with a number of Fulbright programs,” he said.
After completing a three-year study in agriculture at the University of Malawi and earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal science from Colorado State University, Dr. Vokhiwa worked as a livestock officer for the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Malawi from 1975-1992.
He went on to earn his Ph.D. from Colorado State and was elevated to deputy director of environmental affairs in the Ministry of Research and Environmental Affairs.
He furthered his career as regional director and representative for the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) from 2000-2001, where he managed and implemented the organization’s strategic conservation program for Southern Africa.
Vokhiwa would later join the faculty of Kennesaw State University as assistant professor of biology, where he taught from 2003-2007, before joining the Mercer faculty.
His teaching and research interests include sustainable watershed management, ecological monitoring, ecosystem approach, and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) initiatives.
“I am hopeful that perhaps Dr. Vokhiwa’s previous work may be furthered in 2016 via a Fulbright Alumni Service Corps opportunity. It would continue to focus on water and aim to make an impact on the nexus between health, sanitation, water and girls’ educational opportunities in Malawi,” said Kim D. Eger, who serves on the Fulbright Association national board and Georgia Chapter board.
“The Fulbright Association is also looking forward to collaborating on its sustainability focus area with Mercer for the upcoming Fulbright Annual Conference to be held for the first time in Atlanta this November.”
The Fulbright Association, established in 1977, supports international educational and cultural exchange, in addition to the ideal most associated with its namesake Sen. Fulbright, which is mutual understanding among the peoples of the world.
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Congrats Braz. I never thought of that. Now it reminds me of ur brother Late Dr J Malika whom u worked togather in the ministry of agriculture.
Alomwe awa baba ma doctor okha okha. Tinali ndi a Bingu, professor ku USA, a Peter Muthrika nawonso anali a Professor konko kwa azunguko, pano ndi uyo mlomwe winanso. Ninga muzitibe alomwefe ndi osaphunzira? Mwalemba m’mazi. Alomwe ndi mikhang’a basi.
Atumbuka angodzibibila aliko, this guy improved based on merit, not scholar ship given by wikwithu heading the department like at some departments in our universities. Manyazi agwire nyika republic!!!!!!
he looks like that dude from Coming to America
You see Malawians, by the end of the day its not about being Tumbuka or Yao that matters but if we achieve something all other identities dont matter because we are all Malawians. We are busy marginalising each other in our own country while no else on other parts of the world doesnt give a damn about it.
George Zipangani Vokhiwa, a product of the famous Box 2. MSCE class of 1972 continue to make Malawi proud!
MSCE in 1972, in Malawi, achimwene? I thought it was Cambridge accrediting Malawians in “grade 12” that time?
Dr Vokhiwa, conglatulations for putting Malawi on the map, as an outstanding man in Science, Mathematics and Research, these subjects beside being very important to our lives many of us fear them and so are our kids in schools. Many teachers I met in classes if it comes to Mats and science will tell the kids early that “this subject is tough” through this fear mongering of our teachers kids have the choice of only studying the Bible. We need you Dr Vokhiwa to come and lecture our teachers in Malawi ways and means of teaching these subjects please, we… Read more »
Mwamuonatu m’lomwe wophinzira, akanakhala mbwenu mbwenu bwezi pano titatseguka m’mba.
Atumbuka mukatero mukwiya ndi kutsegula mmimba kwambiri ndi achievement ya mulhomwe. Alhomwe Alhomweee! Noophiyaaaaa!