US aid freeze halts Malawi's top science programme, disrupting research
Just over a year after the US government, through the agency USAID, introduced a five-year, $17 million initiative to strengthen higher education in Malawi through science projects, the programme has been abruptly closed, disrupting research and innovation, one of the affected universities has confirmed.
Several institutions that received financial support amounting to thousands of dollars include Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mzuzu University, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, and the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST).
Science eduction
The USAID-funded Transforming Higher Education Systems project, implemented by Michigan State University, targeted students aspiring to enroll in and complete higher education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Its objective was to enhance the mission and capacity of Malawian universities to drive innovation, productivity, and the competitiveness of Malawian industry.
The programme was also designed to improve access to higher education through grants and loans. Additionally, through curriculum development, students were expected to enhance their technical, soft, and entrepreneurial skills, while also engaging in research.
However, Professor Alfred Maluwa, director of research and outreach at MUST told RFI that they had received an official communication in February, instructing them to terminate the project.
USAID freeze calls into question billions in support for poorest countries
Read more on RFI EnglishRead also:Post-election chaos in Mozambique sparks mass exodus to Malawi83% of USAID programs to be scrapped: Rubio'People are going to die': USAID cuts create panic in Africa
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