Govt pledges support to young researchers

Malawi Government says it will support the National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) in its efforts to promote and empower young researchers in the country.

Minister of Health Catherine Gotani Hara said this on Wednesday when she opened a three-day Health Research Capacity Strengthening Initiative (HRCSI) conference at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe.

She said HRCSI is a government initiative which has so far fulfilled its mandate to support young researchers with grants to young Malawians to study through NCST.

Hara commended NCST for its efforts to make the initiative a success.

“It is pleasing to note that the initiative has fulfilled its mandate.

“We will do our best so that these young minds go far with their brilliant researches,” she said.

NCST head of planning Alick Manda said it is encouraging to see that the government attaches a lot of importance to issues of research, science and technology.

He said, among other programmes, NCST is implementing the HRCSI, by far the largest programme in terms of activities and budget.

“We have over the years provided scholarships to several young Malawians to pursue masters and doctorate degrees, supported junior and senior researchers with grants and invested in institutional capacity.

“In addition, the programme has also provided small grants to some Malawian researchers which has enabled them to travel to conferences to disseminate research findings,” said Manda.

The HRCSI started in October 2008 and is expected to end in October 2013.

It is funded by UK Department for International Development (DFID) and the Wellcome Trust.—Mana