According to the Head of Department of Electrical Engineering, Jack Nyirenda who is also one of their lecturers, the students commenced their classes in June 2021.

“We have finished teaching them using the online mode of delivery, it is now time for them to be engaged in the hands-on experience before they get dispatched to various organisations for attachments,” said Nyirenda.

The short course is being supported by the Strengthening Higher Education Access in Malawi Activity (SHEAMA) program, implemented by Arizona State University with funding from USAID Malawi.

Two sisters Christina and Lydia Khumba who originates from Mulanje district, are part of the students in this male dominated field.

Lydia explained that they learned about this course from their stepmother who encouraged them to apply. They were lucky to be among 163 students who secured scholarships from SHEAMA.

“When I was selected, I was happy because without the scholarship which covers tuition, gadgets, accommodation and meals, my guardians could not afford to pay for me,” said Lydia.

Concurring with Lydia were Dowa based and Mzimba based students Yamikani Banda and Lusungu Gondwe respectively who thanked SHEAMA for the scholarship and MUBAS for giving them a chance to learn electrical installation within a short period of time.

“I am very grateful for this opportunity, now I have plans for the future, with this course I am able to do electrical installations in my home village and support my family,” said Banda.

Gondwe added that this course will help improve the lives of the youth who complete their secondary school and have nothing to do. He further asked these two institutions to consider upgrading this course to diploma and degree levels.