On 19 July, the Malawi Commonwealth Alumni Network (MCAN) held an event to discuss the role of geospatial technology and data in achieving sustainable development.
The event brought together an expert panel representing government, academia and data science. Through a panel and open discussion, attendees aimed to shape and share a vision of geospatial technology in Malawi and highlights its importance in the Malawi Vision 2063 agenda. Attendees included alumni, university researchers and students, and members of the Surveyors Institute of Malawi.
Panellists
- Prof Nancy Chitera, Vice Chancellor of Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS)
- Dr Joseph Nagoli, Director of Knowledge and Learning, National Planning Commission Malawi
- Dr Chikondi Chisenga, Senior Lecturer of Earth Sciences at the Malawi University of Science and Technology
- Mary Sibande, Director of Research, University of Livingstonia, Mzunzu
- Brighton Austin Chunga, Senior Lecturer/Researcher in Water Resources Modelling and Management and Head, Department of Water and Sanitation-Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Mzuzu University
- Chimango Chisuwo: Spatial data analyst and researcher
- Precious Innocent Mastala, Researcher, Open Street Malawi
- Patrick Kalonde, Facilitator
Hosted at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), Vice Chancellor Professor Nancy Chitera opened the event. In her remarks she reflected on the growth of the geospatial landscape in Malawi and its place in MUBAS’s research agenda. She noted it was an opportune time to discuss the progress made in this area and how it can contribute to sustainable development.
Professor Chitera also commended the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission for supporting students from Malawi to study at world leading universities and institutions and MCAN for organising the event.
Developing geospatial technologies
The panel discussion commenced with an overview on the growth of the geospatial industry in Malawi and the path towards sustainable development. This included sharing examples of successful applications of geospatial data by Open Street Malawi, which has utilised geospatial data to update health facility catchment areas in Blantyre and map district buildings, roads, rivers in Chikwawa.
During the panel discussion, speakers highlighted the gaps and opportunities in geospatial data in Malawi. This included the important role of universities in supporting researchers and increasing courses in geospatial science to encourage a new generation of leaders in this area. There was also discussion about ways of amplifying the uses geospatial science, with reference to the recent of use of geospatial data by the African Drone and Data Academy in disaster interventions to map cyclones.
Policy provided another area for development to ensure the effective gathering and use of geospatial data and improving infrastructure. Tied to this, further work in data law and legal frameworks would be required alongside data standards.
Panellists provided expert submissions and examples of best practice of geospatial data use in Malawi and shared recommendations on developing and sharing better spatial data technologies.
Looking to the future
The event ended with a research paper presentation by the Researchers and Youth Mappers Chapters from Malawi Open Street, followed by an open Q&A. Professor Chitera thanked all participants and called upon all players in geospatial technologies and research and data analysis to form a think tank to foster continuous engagement and deliberation.
Following the event, it was agreed the event would be held annually by the Malawi Commonwealth Alumni Network, Open Street Malawi, MUST, MUBAS and other interested stakeholders.
If you are a Commonwealth Scholar or Alumnus living in Malawi and would like to get involved in the MCAN, visit this webpage for more details.
