Postgraduate Students
MUST graduated its first M.Sc. students on the 5th of November, 2019.There were 25 students in total with 17 graduating from M.Sc. in Entrepreneurship and 8 from M.Sc. in Innovation. Here are the profiles of the students.
Alison Kambili is Divisional Manager at the Tobacco Commission and is based at Kasungu Division. His M.Sc. thesis in Entrepreneurship is entitled “Entrepreneurial Culture Among Smallholder Tobacco Growers of Kasungu District: A Case of Lisasadzi Extension Planning Area.”
Alison Kambili is Divisional Manager at the Tobacco Commission and is based at Kasungu Division. His M.Sc. thesis in Entrepreneurship is entitled “Entrepreneurial Culture Among Smallholder Tobacco Growers of Kasungu District: A Case of Lisasadzi Extension Planning Area.” The results show that most smallholder tobacco growers embrace entrepreneurial culture in tobacco farming. There are however, a few farmers that engage in other entrepreneurial activities, such as carpentry, bicycle taxing, grocery and owning maize mills besides tobacco growing. It is recommended that programs that have promoted entrepreneurial culture in tobacco farming like Integrated Production System be replicated in other enterprises that farmers are engaged in.
Anastazio Graciano Matewere is Chief Social Welfare Officer responsible for Social Cash Transfer Program at the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare.
Chiff Chidule is an M.Sc. in Innovation graduate of MUST. In his M.Sc. studies, he investigated challenges that restrain TEVET graduates from attaining self-employment ambitions. Results show that TEVET graduates are largely constrained by lack of capital, which is caused by their poor access to institutional loans. Unsupportive environment, poor access to mentorship and failure to conceive ingenious business ideas that can bring a difference on the market are also among the major challenges. The study recommends adoption of youth development policies that can improve youth accessibility to institutional loans, development of community business support centers to improve access to market information and mentorship, and, the need to instill ingenuity into the TEVET learners to enable them develop viable businesses.
Chimwemwe Gremu Gama’s M.Sc. in Entrepreneurship thesis is entitled “Assessing the factors that influence youth entrepreneurship (Case of youth in traditional Authority Chikowi in Zomba district).” The study, guided by the push and pull factors, specifically looked at the perception of youth on agricultural entrepreneurship. The results show that family encouragement is the most important factor for youths to engage in agricultural entrepreneurship. Other crucial factors, included well-tailored need-based training, availability of infrastructure, access to capital, markets and land.
Catherine Dyson Chisale is Customs Officer at Malawi Revenue Authority. In her M.Sc. in entrepreneurship studies, she analyzed factors that affect import tax compliance in the goods clearing industry in Malawi.
Catherine Dyson Chisale is Customs Officer at Malawi Revenue Authority. In her M.Sc. in entrepreneurship studies, she analyzed factors that affect import tax compliance in the goods clearing industry in Malawi. Results show that lack of knowledge was the main factor affecting tax compliance of customs agents which resulted in the loss of government revenue and failure to facilitate legitimate trade. The study recommends that MRA should provide continuous training to customs agents so that they are fully equipped with customs requirements. There is also a need to revise existing laws and formulating regulations that should facilitate enforcement of laws. Furthermore, stiffer penalties should be imposed for non-compliance to discourage fraud.
Daniel Farch Chizala, is team leader for large taxpayer audit at the Malawi Revenue Authority. In his M.Sc. in Innovation studies, he has investigated innovation business approaches of rural small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malawi: The case of five trading centres in Zomba district.
Daniel Farch Chizala, is team leader for large taxpayer audit at the Malawi Revenue Authority. In his M.Sc. in Innovation studies, he has investigated innovation business approaches of rural small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malawi: The case of five trading centres in Zomba district. Results show that SMEs in Zomba were very innovative in their businesses. The innovations included product diversification, product value addition services, and multiple business financing. The study recommends that SMEs should be equipped with further business management skills.
David Rankin Kapawike Mwalilino is working as Principal Medical Laboratory Technologist at the National HIV Reference Laboratory, Public Health Laboratories, in the Ministry of Health, in Lilongwe, Malawi. His M.Sc. degree in Innovation studies investigated the way that HIV quality control testing using reporting tool in HIV testing points in Rumphi District could be improved.
David Rankin Kapawike Mwalilino is working as Principal Medical Laboratory Technologist at the National HIV Reference Laboratory, Public Health Laboratories, in the Ministry of Health, in Lilongwe, Malawi. His M.Sc. degree in Innovation studies investigated the way that HIV quality control testing using reporting tool in HIV testing points in Rumphi District could be improved. The results show that quality control monitoring of the activities in the district as per the monitoring tool was not up to the required standard. In addition, there was no one who was assigned the responsibility of monitoring the activities. As a corrective measure, David, during his studies developed a quality control monitoring tool, to be used during reporting. He has identified a quality control officer at the HIV testing facility, developed the standard list of quality control tasks and task schedule tool. The quality control tasks have been populated in the management calendar. To effectively monitor the activities, David trained the service providers on quality control tasks and on the use of the reporting tool. The study recommends that the Ministry of Health should appoint quality control officers in all the testing facilities of the country and also review the quality control program to strengthen the weak areas.
Dyton Mudala Siyeni has a strong agricultural background with vast experience in managing agro-based value chains and income generation programmes, gained by working with local and international organizations. In his M.Sc. in Entrepreneurship, Dyton conducted a study to investigate factors affecting development agencies in facilitating functional market linkages for smallholder farmers.
Dyton Mudala Siyeni has a strong agricultural background with vast experience in managing agro-based value chains and income generation programmes, gained by working with local and international organizations. In his M.Sc. in Entrepreneurship, Dyton conducted a study to investigate factors affecting development agencies in facilitating functional market linkages for smallholder farmers. Three themes emerged, namely, Market, Cooperative and Farmer. Results show that there was lack of market information, poor governance, poor sensitization and mobilization of farmers, lack of policies and legal enforcement, limited trust and confidence, absence of agribusiness model and low education level of farmers. The study has come up with the following recommendation; Comprehensive farmer capacity building in governance, proper sensitization and mobilization on value chain development, development of proper farmer market systems, and adoption of an appropriate agribusiness model by the development agencies, before farmers are linked to markets.
Microfinance plays an important role of enabling the poor to save and access credit. Esther Kaludzu is working as Project Coordinator for community Health and environmental care Trust in Blantyre. Her Master of Science in Entrepreneurship study focused on critical success factors for the growth of village banks in Malawi.
Microfinance plays an important role of enabling the poor to save and access credit. Esther Kaludzu is working as Project Coordinator for community Health and environmental care Trust in Blantyre. Her Master of Science in Entrepreneurship study focused on critical success factors for the growth of village banks in Malawi. Three themes emerged from this study, that affected the growth of village banks, which are; critical success/failures factors, role of microfinance institutions and effects of the current Malawi financial regulatory framework. The results show that the critical success factors for the growth of village banks in Malawi include availability of linkages, effective operation, proper regulation, access to education, evaluation, good governance and availability of support. An operational framework of village bank that can be used as a guiding tool for the success and growth of village banks in Malawi was also developed. The study recommends that legal structures be adequately adjusted to ensure proper approval of registration of village banks.
Earnest Haig Kaphuka works as Director of Planning and Development at Mangochi District Council. In his M.Sc. studies in Innovation, he has investigated the long term impact of the short term cash transfer interventions in Malawi, with a focus on Mangochi District. The study findings indicate that 41% of the respondents invested in agricultural productive assets. About 18.3% of the respondents invested in other businesses. The study recommends that short term cash transfers be maintained because they show high potential to reduce poverty in the rural areas. In addition, beneficiaries are able to invest the cash earnings from the social cash transfer into other businesses hence ensuring sustainability of the interventions.
Fizza Chipiliro Suwadi is a Senior Lecturer in Business Management at Malawi College of Accountancy. In her Master of Science in Entrepreneurship study, she has investigated product innovation barriers affecting local manufacturing Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Malawi, and in Blantyre city in particular. The results show that there were several major barriers affecting MSMEs’ innovativeness in the manufacturing sector within Blantyre city. The barriers are categorized into organizational, market and legal framework. The study therefore recommends that stakeholders in the government and non governmental organizations should assist MSMEs to remove the identified barriers and intensify efforts to promote innovativeness of Malawian MSMEs.
Godfrey Moto is currently a supervisor and consultant at Mango Lodge in Zomba. In his M.Sc. in Entrepreneurship study, he has explored the challenges and opportunities surrounding activities in digital content marketing and how well placed marketers are to tackle them from within an entrepreneurial context. Results show that the main challenges were; data costs, time constraints, and payment delays. The opportunities were found to be available amongst a variety of existing platforms and the marketers interviewed were found to be sufficiently positioned from within an entrepreneurial context. Entrepreneurial intention and learning is apparent which sets them in good stead to tackle the challenges explored. The study recommends that digital content marketers should continue with a focused written strategy and explore their cultural contexts to maximise their individual styles and formats, be they artistic or information driven.
Hamlet Malika is an IT Advisory Manager at Grant Thornton Malawi. In his M.Sc. studies in Innovation, he has investigated the influence of management skills on the diffusion of innovation – a case of National Bank of Malawi’s Mo626.
Hamlet Malika is an IT Advisory Manager at Grant Thornton Malawi. In his M.Sc. studies in Innovation, he has investigated the influence of management skills on the diffusion of innovation – a case of National Bank of Malawi’s Mo626. The results showed that management style and governance approach were important factors in the diffusion of innovation at the National Bank of Malawi. Management support was attributed to the successful implementation and commercialization of the mobile banking platform, i.e., the Mo626 Digital. On the practical side, the study found that the field of engineering was a core competence in digital transformation and recommends management to nurture the competencies for the bank to remain competitive.
Hastings is a Systems Administration Manager at National Integrated Technologies (NITEL). In his M.Sc. in Innovation studies, he investigated the role of mHealth in the improvement of data management in the health sector. The study analyzed two major health information systems i.e., Electronic Health Records Management and mHealth.
Hastings is a Systems Administration Manager at National Integrated Technologies (NITEL). In his M.Sc. in Innovation studies, he investigated the role of mHealth in the improvement of data management in the health sector. The study analyzed two major health information systems i.e., Electronic Health Records Management and mHealth. Results showed that despite the positive efforts that have been put into place, data being collected in public hospitals is not of recommendable quality. There is still major reliance on manual systems and that health information systems are operating in Silos. The study recommends a centralized patient centered system design that will be integrable with other health systems to provide an interface with rich data analytics and decision support system that will assist during patient diagnosis.
Henry Kaipa is a Secondary School teacher at Mzuzu Government Secondary School. In his M.Sc. studies in entrepreneurship, he has examined the role of entrepreneurship education and business incubators as a perfect match in encouraging entrepreneurship development among graduates in Malawi.
Henry Kaipa is a Secondary School teacher at Mzuzu Government Secondary School. In his M.Sc. studies in entrepreneurship, he has examined the role of entrepreneurship education and business incubators as a perfect match in encouraging entrepreneurship development among graduates in Malawi. Results show that there was a very strong association (positive significant correlation) between Entrepreneurship education and business incubation in reducing high mortality rates of Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) start-ups. The study recommends among other things, that there should be a link between entrepreneurship education and business incubation in Malawi. The link can be established through the adoption of post training support for entrepreneurs.
Jones Ntaukira is CEO and co-founder of Zuwa Energy Pty Ltd, the first prepaid solar electricity provider in Malawi. His M.Sc. thesis is entitled “Investigating factors that determine continuous intention behavior to use mobile payment services in Malawi using structural equation modeling”.
Jones Ntaukira is CEO and co-founder of Zuwa Energy Pty Ltd, the first prepaid solar electricity provider in Malawi. His M.Sc. thesis is entitled “Investigating factors that determine continuous intention behavior to use mobile payment services in Malawi using structural equation modeling”. Jones has modelled factors that determine continuous intention behaviour in using mobile payments in Malawi. The model has shown that society norms, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and attitude have a huge implication on continued use of mobile payments. Further, lack of interoperability of mobile systems leads to reduction of customer trust and satisfaction. The study recommends that Government should start accepting mobile payments for public goods and services like market and tuition fees, and road traffic fees and fines. The mobile payment service providers on the other hand should ensure that their services are truly interoperable.
Macdonald Chisale is the Managing Director of ACE Holdings Limited. In his M.Sc. Studies in Innovation, he has investigated customer satisfaction on the use of FDH mobile banking platform. Results show that regarding socio-economic factors, most customers are satisfied with the services that are rendered with FDH mobile banking.
Macdonald Chisale is the Managing Director of ACE Holdings Limited. In his M.Sc. Studies in Innovation, he has investigated customer satisfaction on the use of FDH mobile banking platform. Results show that regarding socio-economic factors, most customers are satisfied with the services that are rendered with FDH mobile banking. On availability factors, most customers were satisfied with Air time top up, bill payments and card less withdrawal. However, regarding the barrier factors, most of the respondents were not satisfied with mobile banking charges and network outage. The study recommends promotion among customers the use of mobile services which should increase the frequency in use of the services and in turn benefit the banking sector economically.
Madalitso Stella Duwa is the Head of Procurement and Disposal of Assets at the University of Malawi, the Polytechnic. In his Master of Science in Entrepreneurship studies, he has investigated the impact of policy implementation on micro, small and medium enterprises’ economic growth.
Madalitso Stella Duwa is the Head of Procurement and Disposal of Assets at the University of Malawi, the Polytechnic. In his Master of Science in Entrepreneurship studies, he has investigated the impact of policy implementation on micro, small and medium enterprises’ economic growth. Results show that most (84%) of the activities that were lined up in the MSME policy were not implemented. In addition, all the general policy implementation principles were not strictly adhered to in the course of implementing the MSME Policy. Furthermore, implementation of the MSME Policy did not induce economic growth on micro, small and medium enterprises in Malawi. The study recommends that Government of Malawi should encourage broad participation of stakeholders in the implementation of the MSME policy and ensure involvement of micro, small and medium enterprises as key stakeholders.
Nelson Duncan Khoriyo is a Procurement and Disposal of Assets Manager at ESCOM. In his M.Sc. in Entrepreneurship studies he has investigated barriers of Small and Medium Enterprises during public tender process in Malawi. Results show that unethical practices such as malpractices and corruption, and financial challenges are some of the barriers that affects the ability of SMEs to win the public tenders. Results further show that Malawi has a clear procurement regulatory framework that aims to manage public procurement. However, in most cases procurement guidelines are not properly followed thereby affecting SMEs participation in public tenders. The study recommends that stakeholders should work hand together to develop strong ethical policies and that during the formulation of procurement legal framework, SMEs should always be involved so that they clearly understand what is required for them to win tenders. There is also a need for transparency in the procurement process to ensure that procurement rules do not favour only a certain class of suppliers.
Nyangu Faith Phiri Chirambo is an entrepreneur. In her M.Sc. studies in Entrepreneurship, she carried out a situational analysis of dry fruits and vegetables in Malawi. The objective was to investigate the opportunities and challenges in dry fruits and vegetables enterprise in Malawi. The results show that Malawi has dry fruits on the market, which are imported. There were no companies that process dry fruits locally. On the other hand, local dry vegetables are sold in the local markets in smaller quantities but a lot more are wasted. Processing through drying could address wastage/post-harvest losses of fruits and vegetables in Malawi, create employment and increase Gross Domestic Product. The study recommends that Malawi should invest in fruit and vegetable drying technologies and set up processing factories.
Samuel Kalea is the Managing Director for Bookmate Publishers in Blantyre. In his M.Sc. in Entrepreneurship studies he has analysed the collateral challenges specifically encountered by micro enterprises in Blantyre City.
Samuel Kalea is the Managing Director for Bookmate Publishers in Blantyre. In his M.Sc. in Entrepreneurship studies he has analysed the collateral challenges specifically encountered by micro enterprises in Blantyre City. The results show that micro enterprises are constrained by the fact that all bank credits are supposed to be secured with collateral. The major challenges included; lack of the collateral, limited resources to meet the collateral value, huge asset valuation costs, risk of asset repossession, high monthly loan repayments and debt addiction. The study recommends that the banks should provide credit facilities with lower interest rate to micro enterprises considering that they have small capital and are struggling to grow their businesses.
Wanangwa Kenneth Msowoya is a Programmes Manager at Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM) Mzuzu Diocese in Mzuzu. In his M.Sc. in Entrepreneurship he has evaluated capacity building for sugarcane out-growers project in Nkhotakota district.
Wanangwa Kenneth Msowoya is a Programmes Manager at Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM) Mzuzu Diocese in Mzuzu. In his M.Sc. in Entrepreneurship he has evaluated capacity building for sugarcane out-growers project in Nkhotakota district. Results show that survey, training evaluations, coordination and collaboration meetings were methods that were used in problem identification. The project also promoted entrepreneurial, infrastructure and governance initiatives. The study recommends that; farmers should consider engaging in other forms of business. The project should also develop strategies to comply with fair trade international standards. In addition, the out-growers project should adopt participatory methods in problem identification. There is no sugar regulatory policy in the country, therefore, policy makers should work towards formulating framework to regulate the industry.
Charles is working with MUST as an Estates Development Manager. In his MSc. in innovation study, he investigated the influence of clients, consultants and contractors on cost and schedule overruns in public building projects in Malawi. Results show that most (91%) of public building projects in Malawi experience cost overruns and 94% experience schedule overruns. The client influenced most of the cost (34%) and schedule (46%) overruns. In contrast, the contractor was observed to have had the least (7%) influence on schedule overruns. The study recommends the adaptation of an Integrated Total Quality Management Tool as a model for use at each of the stages of the project management cycle to prevent defects and errors from being carried over to the next building phase.
Boston is an educationalist working in the ministry of education. He pursued an MSc. in innovation degree at MUST. His thesis is entitled “Development of a Teaching Practice Model for Underqualified Teachers in Community day Secondary Schools: A Case of Thyolo district”. He was motivated to undertake this study in Thyolo because of all the teachers in the community day secondary schools in the district, 81% of them were underqualified for secondary school teaching. The results of his study identified several content knowledge deficits by community day secondary school teachers in Thyolo. A school based ‘one on one’ coaching model was developed and after testing, it proved to be an effective teaching practice that could assist unqualified teachers to acquire pedagogical knowledge. It is recommended that head teachers be proactive in organizing the ‘one on one’ coaching services to the underqualified teachers in their schools in the district.
Mwiza’s Master of Science in innovation thesis is entitled “Rethinking Small and Medium Enterprise Lending: A Case of Commercial Banks in Malawi”. The study identified collateral requirements as a major challenge by both banks and SMEs. In addition, the SMEs did not clearly understand the bank requirements in the loan application process. As an intervention, Mwiza developed a loan product named “Ulalo” (bridge) with the aim of addressing (bridging) the identified challenges. The Ulalo advocates for banks to accept other forms of collateral by SMEs apart from property. It also seeks to bridge the communication gap between SMEs and banks by improving the loan process. Ulalo enables the bank to be more interactive with clients when processing loans, thus enabling the clients to fully understand the loan process and requirements.