University of Malawi - UNIMA

𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐈 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐌𝐀–𝐆𝐇𝐈𝐈 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The University of Malawi, through the Department of Physics and Electronics, has taken another step in advancing student-led digital health innovation following a technical engagement with the Global Health Informatics Institute (GHII) on an AI-enabled cardiovascular screening project.

The engagement was held within the broader UNIMA–GHII collaboration framework, which seeks to strengthen student innovation, industrial attachment, prototyping support, and the co-development of health-related technologies. Through this partnership, UNIMA and GHII are working to connect academic training with real-world health technology development, with particular attention to solutions that are scientifically sound, affordable, and relevant to Malawi’s healthcare needs.

The project presented during the visit, titled “AI-Powered Stethoscope for Cardiovascular Screening in Malawi”, was developed by final-year Bachelor of Science in Electronics students Steven Chidzanja, Rajab Kingstone Indah, and John Nahshon Moyo, under the supervision of Dr Dackson Masiyano.

Presenting on behalf of the student team, Chidzanja outlined progress made in developing an embedded artificial intelligence pipeline for heart-sound classification. Full story https://unima.ac.mw/news/single-post/student-ai-innovation-strengthens-unimaghii-digital-health-collaboration-21-06-2026
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𝐢𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐒: 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

To ensure innovation addresses real-world challenges and improves lives, the University of Malawi, through its Computing Department, has developed the integrated Community Health Information System (iCHIS), a digital platform transforming community healthcare delivery across Malawi.

iCHIS is a nationwide Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) platform that supports Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) in providing community health services.
Developed by researchers at the University of Malawi in collaboration with MoHS and other partners, iCHIS replaces paper-based records with a modern digital system that enables health workers to collect, access, and manage health information more efficiently and accurately.

According to Dr Kondwani Godwin Munthali, Head of the Computing Department and iCHIS Project Lead, the platform has been deployed in 15 districts nationwide, with 3,764 HSAs and Senior HSAs trained and actively using it to support community health service delivery.
The system strengthens community health management by capturing village demographic information, environmental health conditions, and household-level Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) data.
Full story https://unima.ac.mw/news/single-post/ichis-transforming-community-health-service-delivery-through-innovation-21-06-2026

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Happy Father's Day.

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Results Are In!
The wait is over! Check your results now. Congratulations!

𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗠𝗔 𝗖𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗦 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

As part of its ongoing field visits to CRAFS-CARP-E grantees across Malawi to appreciate progress, document impact, and showcase how research-based innovations are transforming livelihoods and strengthening local enterprises, the Centre for Resilient Agri-Food Systems (CRAFS), through the Community Actionable Research Projects for Enterprise (CARP-E) initiative, on 17 June 2026, visited Gusher Labs in Chiradzulu.

Founded by Kondwani Nantchito, Gusher Labs received a CARP-E grant of US$ 5,000 to advance the development of its proof of concept, the Mnzeru Mkupangwa App, a digital Farmers Community Hub designed to support smallholder farmers through improved access to information, markets, and agricultural services.

The Mnzeru Mkupangwa App aims to bridge knowledge gaps in the agricultural sector, help farmers connect directly to markets, and reduce their dependence on intermediaries. The platform also provides a one-stop digital hub where farmers can access learning resources, market opportunities, and real-time support.

Read more: https://www.unima.ac.mw/news/single-post/unima-crafs-empowering-local-farmers-through-digital-innovation-18-06-2026

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Remember The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind?

Now it's your turn to harness the sun 🌞

Apply for the hands-on Certificate in Solar Systems Installation and Maintenance Programme and gain the practical skills and knowledge to build a career in the growing solar energy industry.

Scan the QR code to start your application today.
Link https://unima.ac.mw/announcements/call-for-applications-enrolment-into-the-certificate-in-solar-systems-installation-and-maintenance-15-06-2026

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𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐞𝐬, 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬
On 12 June 2026, the Centre for Resilient Agri-Food Systems (CRAFS) at the University of Malawi, through its Community Action Research Projects for Enterprise Development (CARP-E) initiative, visited Tehilah Bakery and Value Addition Centre in Lunzu, Blantyre to assess progress on a project focused on commercialising orange-fleshed sweet potatoes.

The enterprise, led by Jean Pankuku, received a USD 7,500 CARP-E grant to support the commercialisation of products made from biofortified orange-fleshed sweet potatoes.

The centre produces a wide range of value-added goods, including sweet potato bread, buns, biscuits, doughnuts, mandazi, chin chin, and blended sweet potato flour.

Read more: https://unima.ac.mw/news/single-post/adding-value-to-sweet-potatoes-transforming-lives-15-06-2026

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