On 19th December 2024, the Faculty-Student Programme (FSP) "Sciencepreneur" Grant Awards took place at the Unipod, located at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, bringing together innovators, educators, and policymakers to celebrate innovation and entrepreneurship. The event served as a unique platform for showcasing creativity and collaboration aimed at addressing real-world challenges through groundbreaking projects.

The 2024 Sciencepreneur Grant Awards embraced the theme "Innovate, Empower, Create," reflecting the program's commitment to fostering transformative solutions and equipping participants with the tools to bring their ideas to life. This theme underscored the importance of collaboration between academia and industry in driving sustainable development.

The Secretary of Education, Dr. Mangani Katundu, graced the event as the Guest of Honor. Dr. Katundu highlighted the urgent need for fostering creativity and building local solutions to global challenges. His message set the tone for the event, inspiring attendees to lead the charge in creating innovative solutions.

The event featured two keynote speeches, namely Associate Professor Nancy Chitera, Vice Chancellor of MUBAS, who highlighted the university’s commitment to empowering students and faculty to pursue cutting-edge innovation. Her address emphasized the importance of fostering an ecosystem that nurtures an innovative mindset.

Mr. Challa Getachew, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, discussed the pivotal role of partnerships in achieving sustainable development goals. His speech explored how collaboration between students, faculty, and global development partners can unlock the potential of youth.

The event culminated with the announcement of the five winning projects, selected from various universities for their ingenuity and potential from faculty members such as Joseph Chikaphonya Phiri who is Developing a Smart Microgrid Metering System, Dr Chimwemwe Msosa with Medfix App - A Mobile Solution for Medical Equipment Maintenance and Performance, Dr Farai Chigaru with a Growth Identification and Facilitation Framework Tools, Naine Mkandawire with a AI-Powered Personalized Learning and Administrative Support Platform for Children with Disabilities and Their Teachers and Dr Steven Wandale developing a Smart Passive Drip Irrigation System.

The Faculty-Student Programme "Sciencepreneur" Grant Awards 2024 was an inspiring event, celebrating bold ideas and groundbreaking projects that address pressing challenges. The winners exemplified how academic and entrepreneurial efforts can shape a better future.

The event concluded with a shared vision for fostering innovation, collaboration, and empowerment across academia and industry.