On 3rd July 2025, UniPod had the honour of hosting Professor Brando Okolo, AUDA-NEPAD's Advisor on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). His visit marked a significant milestone in UniPod’s efforts to strengthen the innovation ecosystem and bridge the gap between research and real-world impact.

During his time at the UniPod, Professor Okolo engaged with a range of high-level stakeholders including representatives from the National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST), Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) Vice Chancellor Professor Nancy Chitera, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative Fenella Frost, and several members of the academic and innovation community.

As part of his visit, Professor Okolo delivered a compelling and interactive session to UniPod staff and MUBAS faculty on two critical themes: the commercialization of innovation and the engineering design process. Drawing from his extensive experience across Africa’s innovation and policy landscape, he shared strategic insights on how institutions can build viable pathways from prototype to product, and emphasized the importance of applying structured engineering design frameworks in developing scalable solutions.

The session sparked productive discussions and left staff members with a deeper understanding of the commercialization business model, including how to assess market potential, protect intellectual property, and attract early-stage investment. The insights provided will prove instrumental as UniPod continues to support innovators, startups and community members in turning their ideas into impactful, sustainable enterprises.

UniPod extends its sincere appreciation to Professor Okolo for his time, insights, and encouragement. His visit reinforced the importance of collaboration between policymakers, academic institutions, and innovation hubs in building a robust and inclusive STI ecosystem for Malawi and the continent.