Malawian Youths on Path to Become Global Innovators, Says UN Official
The UNDP official also commended MUBAS for opening up the UNIPOD facility to innovators outside the university, allowing them to showcase their work.
BLANTYRE, Malawi — Malawian youths are on the right path to become innovators of tomorrow for the entire world, according to a senior United Nations development official who was impressed by the innovations displayed by students at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), writes Mayamiko Phiri.
"The level of confidence I saw today gives hope. You have what it takes and you can export your ideas and innovations and earn from it," said Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Secretary General and Africa Regional Director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Eziakonwa made the remarks on Wednesday at Chileka International Airport shortly before her departure, after attending the official launch of the university's Innovation Pod (UNIPOD) among other engagements during her visit.
She expressed satisfaction with the measures put in place to protect the innovations, stating, "We don't want the space of innovation which has started off to be another extractive industry, whereby young people slave, get the idea to innovate and it goes out because they don't have the license or the protection around it."
The UNDP official also commended MUBAS for opening up the UNIPOD facility to innovators outside the university, allowing them to showcase their work.
During the launch event, Eziakonwa interacted with confident young students discussing their inventions and the potential applications of the machines and technologies they have developed.
The multi-million dollar UNIPOD facility was established through a partnership between MUBAS and UNDP, aiming to foster innovation and provide a platform for young minds to bring their ideas to life.