A team of experts from the African Drone and Data Academy (ADDA), a center of excellence within Ndata School of Climate and Earth Sciences (NSCES) at MUST on November 24, 2025 held an interface meeting with officials from Airport Development Limited (ADL) to explore opportunities for a possible partnership. 

The engagement aimed at strengthening collaboration in aviation, drone technology, and training.

During the meeting, Associate Professor Chikondi Chisenga, NSCES Executive Dean and ADDA Coordinator, presented an overview of MUST. 

He highlighted the university's four schools and emphasized MUST’s commitment to promoting innovation, research, and industry-linked training. He also stressed the importance of partnerships in enhancing learning and improving quality of graduates.

In his presentation, Emmanuel Chinkaka, ADDA Program Manager, outlined core activities under the Academy and its  key programs, including incubation, emergency response, and certificate course in drone and data technology. 

Chinkaka said ADDA has so far trained more than 1,000 youths from 30 African countries, equipping them with advanced skills in drone operations and data analysis.

Representing ADL, Francis Chasimpha, Human Resource and Administration Manager, gave an overview of the organization’s role in Malawi’s aviation sector. 

He said ADL regulates all airports in the country, both on the airside and landside, and works in close collaboration with Department of Civil of Civil Aviation.

ADL also oversees the School of Aviation, which offers programs in aviation, air traffic control, engineering, fire fighting, and meteorology.

Through the proposed partnership, the two institutions plan to collaborate in several key areas, including training and certifying ADL instructors in drone technology, incorporating ADDA’s search and rescue component into the School of Aviation’s curriculum, and jointly developing tailor-made diploma and bachelor’s degree programmes in aviation management.

They will also explore use of each other’s facilities to strengthen their training capacity.

The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both parties expressing optimism that the partnership will enhance skills development, support innovation, and contribute to growth of Malawi’s aviation and drone technology sectors.