LUANAR launches Staff Research Grants Program to address societal challenges
The Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) through the Directorate of Research and Outreach (DRO) has launched the Staff Research Grants Program to support faculty members implement research projects in order to address societal problems.
Deputy Vice Chancellor Dr Agnes Mwangwela said Friday at Bunda Campus in Lilongwe that the program marks a significant milestone in the Institution’s ongoing commitment to nurturing a culture of research excellence and innovation.
“It is through research that we expand the frontiers of knowledge, tackle societal challenges and contribute to the advancement of our communities,” she said.
Mwangwela stressed that the grants have been meticulously crafted to offer financial support to the faculty members enabling them to embark on innovative research projects that hold the potential to make a tangible difference in the country.
Director of Research and Outreach, Sam Katengeza said the program will be implemented inline with the Malawi 2063 and the Institution’s vision of becoming world class university.
“The university is channelling it’s research investment to respond to the challenges facing these important pillars in the MW2063 like Agriculture productivity and commercialization as well as industrialization,” he said.
Katengeza said the inaugural grants have been funded using internal resources to the tune $140,000.
Meanwhile nine university staff have been awarded with five of them given $20,000 each while the remaining four received $10,000 each.
One of the recipients of the grant, Dr Smith Nkhata said their research is to do with adding value to sweet potatoes.
Following the season of abundance of sweet potatoes last year, many potatoes were wasted as most farmers did not know what to do with them.
“We will help to develop machinery that will help farmers to process sweet potatoes and also add value in order to reduce post harvest losses,” he explained.
Dr Nkhata has received $20,000 to his research.
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