Agricultural Transformation Initiative sponsors Malawi agri researchers
By Sharon Chirwa:
Agricultural Transformation Initiative (ATI), an organisation aimed diversifying tobacco-dependent economies, has opened a new window for funding agriculture researchers and students in the country.
The firm would be working with the Institute of International Education (IIE) to manage a pilot Fellowship and Scholarship Fund (FSF).
This initiative is designed to strengthen capacity in research areas related to agricultural transformation in Malawi.
The FSF will be designed, implemented and administered by IIE in coordination with Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar).
The fund will support more than 20 fellowships and scholarships for graduate study and postdoctoral research in the United States or South Africa.
In a statement issued yesterday, the firm says the initiative is aimed at supporting the country’s agriculture researchers.
“This programme is providing graduate students and postdoctoral researchers with the opportunity to study internationally in high-priority disciplines.
“The goal is to help educate students about innovations in the various sectors that can be applied in Malawi to help the country’s economy become less dependent on tobacco crops and contribute to the transformation of the agricultural sector.” reads part of the statement.
ATI’s country Director for Malawi, Candida Nankhumwa, says the FSF programme gives an opportunity to Malawian students to apply for courses in business, data science, ecology and the environment, economics, and engineering.
Applicants are also required to have a bachelor’s degree or doctorate depending on the desired programme.
IIE President and CEO, Allan Goodman, says their history in facilitating such programmes will come in handy.
