On June 13, 2025, the School of Science and Technology at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) hosted a vibrant, one-day event to mark the 20th anniversary of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Technologies (WASHTED) Centre. The celebration, held under the theme “Celebrating 20 Years of WASHTED: Strengthening Partnerships Across the School of Science and Technology,” brought together over 150 participants, including government officials, NGOs, academics, and students, to reflect on WASHTED’s history and forge new pathways for collaboration.
A Platform for Partnership and Innovation
The event served as more than just a celebration; it was a testament to WASHTED’s commitment to promoting applied research and innovation in WASH-related disciplines. The program featured inspiring speeches and engaging research showcases designed to foster dialogue and strengthen the bond between academia, government, and development partners.
Key speakers included:
- Prof. Nancy Chitera, MUBAS Vice Chancellor, who highlighted WASHTED’s crucial role in national development.
- Prof. Chomora Mikeka, Director of Science, Technology and Innovation from the Ministry of Health, who stressed the importance of academic-government collaboration in achieving the Malawi 2063 Agenda.
- Dr. Mphatso Kamdoya, Dean of the School of Science and Technology, who officially opened the event and praised the collective effort of all departments.
- Dr. Kondwani Chidziwisano, who shared the remarkable 20-year journey of WASHTED, detailing its key milestones and future aspirations.
Showcasing Interdisciplinary Research
A central highlight of the celebration was the series of departmental presentations and pavilion exhibitions. Departments across the School of Science and Technology showcased their innovative research, demonstrating the breadth and depth of applied science at MUBAS.
Participating departments and their research topics included:
- Department of Computer Science and Information Systems: “Leveraging AI for practical solutions in Malawi presented by Dr A. Taylor
- Department of Physics and Biochemical Sciences: “Prevalence of EBL in Wastewater Effluent in Blantyre, Malawi” presented by Miss E. Ibrahim.
- Department of Public Health and Environmental Sciences: “Solar Disinfection of Harvested Rainwater” presented by Mrs E Kogoya and Mr D Mussa
- Department of Mathematical Sciences: “Assessing socio-demographic characteristics on the comorbidity of NCDs and HIV/AIDS in Malawi using Neural Networks,” presented by Mr A Kasambala
- WASHTED Centre: A presentation on the Sustainable Plastic Attitudes to benefit Communities and their Environments (SPACES) research project presented by Mrs T Kumwenda
Attendees engaged actively during the Q&A sessions, exploring the exhibitions and sparking discussions on cross-disciplinary research and potential future collaborations.
Looking Ahead
The 20th-anniversary celebration was a resounding success, highlighting MUBAS’s research strength and its role as a leader in interdisciplinary collaboration. The event not only enhanced the institution’s visibility but also generated new partnership opportunities, reinforcing WASHTED’s mission to drive meaningful change in the community. It was a day of shared knowledge, collaboration, and a clear vision for the future of science and technology in Malawi.
