News
ADAPT | EXTREME HEAT IN THE CLASSROOM
In close collaboration with diverse stakeholders, a transdisciplinary team from civil and architectural engineering, the social sciences and climate sciences are developing indicators of how extreme temperature and humidity impact low-income residents' physical and mental health. FAR-LeaF Fellow Dr Ebenezer Amankwaa has since January 2023 been disseminating preliminary findings of his research results to stakeholders in Ghana.
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE | Dr Brighton Chunga
Due to his unique and extensive involvement in research, Mzuzu University management recognised Dr Brighton Chunga's outstanding performance and services to the University in research and resource mobilisation. Dr Chunga was appointed Head of the Department of Water and Sanitation, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, for the next two years.
TOWARDS SECURING WATER RESOURCES FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Water resources significantly influence Malawi’s socioeconomic development. As an agro-based economy, the agriculture sector relies on the availability of water resources, either as rainfall, river flows or groundwater, to support crop and animal production. Malawi is one of the countries in Southern Africa that wholly relies on hydropower for its electricity needs. As the country embarks on diversification of the economy due to challenges in the agricultural sector, including a general decline in tobacco prices on the world market and climate change, water resources will continue to be relevant in the nation’s industrialisation efforts.
COUNTERING ISLAMOPHOBIA THROUGH PEACE MESSAGING AND MEDIA LITERACY
The United Nations (UN) defines Islamophobia as fear, prejudice and hatred of Muslims that leads to provocation, hostility and intolerance using threatening, harassment, abuse, incitement and intimidation of Muslims and non-Muslims online and offline. Motivated by institutional, ideological, political and religious hostility that transcends into structural and cultural racism, it targets the symbols and markers of being a Muslim.
NANOTECHNOLOGY WITH BESSY II
Advances in various fields, including biomedicine, electronics, optoelectronics, energy conversion and storage, are fuelled by nanotechnology. However, there is neither a synchrotron facility in Africa nor many users of BESSY II in Africa. Dr Tabitha Amollo, leader of the materials physics group of Egerton University in Kenya, is changing that. She organised a materials science workshop to advance nanotechnology research as part of her participation in the Future Africa Research Leadership Fellowship Program (FAR-LeaF).
ENSURING MENTAL WELL-BEING THROUGH TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH
Health is more than the absence of illness or disease; it encompasses a holistic state of physical, mental, and social well-being. To be healthy, one needs to achieve complete well-being, not just a lack of sickness. Similarly, mental health is defined as a state of wellness in which individuals can utilise their abilities effectively, manage everyday stressors, perform well at work, contribute to society, and live fulfilling lives.
RESOURCE FOR HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY
The 2023 International Women’s Day (IWD) theme highlights efforts to embrace equity. It is a day set aside to draw attention to women's strides and accelerate efforts towards inclusiveness, creating a level playing field for all genders to ultimately benefit the world.
FINANCIAL MUSCLE | EQUALITY THROUGH FINANCIAL LITERACY
In Africa, women still need to learn financial literacy skills related to savings, entrepreneurship, record-keeping, budgeting and investment. Financial literacy leadership training programs for rural women provide the skills required for a better standard of living – a life with financial muscle.