The aim of the Workshop is to share lessons with stakeholders on how the HEPSSA Project that The Polytechnic is implementing. HEPSSA stands for Higher Education Partnerships in Sub-Sahara Africa, and is the project that is funded by UK Government through the Royal Academy of Engineering (UK). 

The aims of the Project are to address engineering skills gaps and to showcase the role of engineering in economic development. For University of Malawi - The Polytechnic, these aims are achieved through University - Industry collaborations which is also the Project main theme for University of Malawi project.

This Project is implemented using a hub-spoke model. The University of Malawi is the hub. The spoke universities are Malawi University of Science and Technology, Lilongwe university of Agriculture and Natural Resources plus international universities of Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia) and Uganda Martyrs University (Uganda). There are also several industries and organizations that are key stakeholders in the Project.

 The University of Strathclyde (UK) provides mentorship on Project implementation.

According to the HEPSSA Project Team Leader (Lead Applicant), Dr Suzgo Kaunda, this Workshop will share the following project lessons, among others.

Firstly, it will focus on how The Polytechnic especially the Faculty of Engineering has undertaken curricular review of its degree programs to be relevant to the industry. The curricular review is in its final stage.

In addition, it is going to review on how the Project has involved the industry in training of undergraduate engineering students. 

Furthermore, checking how the Project has re-skilled the engineering lecturers by seconding them to the industry. 

Finally, the workshop will present an opportunity to share lessons, how the Project has initiated collaborative research between industry and academia.

For more information about this Workshop contact the following Project Team members: Dr. Suzgo Kaunda (0888290059), Dr. Theresa Mkandawire (0995463036) and Mr. Million Mafuta (0999351985).