‘Failing is not the end of the road’

Girls pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) courses have been told to embrace failure as part of the journey to success.

The girls, from the Malawi University of Science and Technology (Must), were motivated at a career talk organised by Illovo women in leadership (I Wil) last Friday.

Former Must chemical engineering student now Illovo production team leader Chisomo Mukoka told the students to persevere and learn from others for them to succeed.

She recalled and shared an experience where she had a supplementary examination for chemistry, a core subject for her course felt dejected and embarrassed.

“I was miserable and felt the world curve in around me. I did not know how to face life and dreaded other student’s comments. I wondered what they would say about one of the only six girls out of 65 in the chemical engineering class. I felt the justification of girls shunning such STEM courses,” recalled Chisomo.

However, she was encouraged to write that supplementary with courage and boldness, with one adviser reminding her that mishaps are soon forgotten.

Now after attaining her dream, she faces her past with pride, encouraging other students that one failure does not equate to an unproductive end at the tunnel as there is always light.

Illovo human resources director Khumbo Ntambo Banda said the world is evolving at a rapid pace where solutions to tomorrow’s challenges lie in the hands if innovators, problem solvers and trailblazers like Stem students.

She said Stem disciplines offer boundless opportunities for creativity, discovery and impact.

Banda also announced Illovo’s investment of K250 million into the Illovo Sugar Malawi Endowment Fund at Must.

“The fund was established to help female students pursuing Stem-related courses facing challenges in paying their school fees to empower them to continue their studies without worrying about bursaries.

“Illovo is looking for young women like you to help us build our business. Being a male-dominated industry, Stem female representation is very low and I would like to urge you to work hard so you can one day join us at Illovo,” she said.

Banda explained that they started with an initial K150 million in the endowment fund which is now at K400 million, including the K250 million.

She told the girls that their journey will not be easy as they will encounter obstacles, setbacks and moments of doubt.

‘Remember that adversity is not a sign to retreat, but a call to rise stronger and bolder than ever before. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and never underestimate the power of your dream,” she said.

Must Vice-chancellor Professor Address Malata said repeated Form Four and there was a time she went to school without shoes.

She said the obstacle did not deter her academic journey that begun with a diploma to a PhD.

“Resilience and focus are important. It doesn’t matter where you are coming from. The person you become is not about what you learn in college,” she said.

The nurse bragged about being conversant in many topics because of her continued seal to learn, encouraging girls to do likewise.

Malata described social media as having space in our lives, but said should not be abused or allowed to eat too much into students’ time.

She said to attain education; sacrifices have to be made, just like she left a 10 month-old and a two-year- old when she went to do he PhD.

She said there is time for everything, no need to rush.

I Wil has held career talks in various primary and secondary schools across the country in February, donating textbooks focuses on Stem.

Last month, it started a university drive, visiting universities cross the country with a focus on girls pursuing Stem-related course in third, fourth and fifth year.

Illovo has 334 managers, 17 percent of which are women.

Must, according to Malata, has the lowest girls’ enrolment at 27 percent.

She said they also have a low female representation in its workforce, with one woman as the first executive dean.