Background

University of Malawi – The Polytechnic is one of the beneficiary institutions of the Skills Development Project (SDP) funded by World Bank. The Polytechnic intends to:

1. Strengthen its performance by carrying out a programme of specific activities to improve access and market relevance of engineering programmes through construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure including laboratories, classrooms, lecture theatres and office space,
2. Acquire equipment,
3. Develop new engineering programmes at diploma and undergraduate levels, and
4. Upgrade staff qualifications to deliver on new programmes. In addition, the Polytechnic will undertake tracer studies as well as bridging courses to improve the performance of students in science subjects.

Objective 1: Widen equitable Access to Polytechnic Programmes

First Strategy - Expand infrastructure capacity

Activities

1. Construct teaching and learning space, laboratory, workshop, classrooms, lecture theatres, library facilities, office space
2. Rehabilitate infrastructure

Outputs

1. 4 Laboratories, with 40 student seating capacity each
2. 2 Lecture theatres 250 seating capacity each ,
3. 5 Classrooms with 40 students seating capacity each,
4. 25 offices, with one staff member per office
5. Furniture for laboratories, lecture theatres, classrooms and offices

Beneficiaries

1. Students
2. Members of staff
3. The general public

Second Strategy - Increase number of programmes

Activities

1. Develop and introduce new programmes

Outputs

1. More programmes introduced (3 in miming related, 1 biochemical Engineering and 9 Diploma)

Beneficiaries

Public and private organisations

Objective 2: Enhance Market Relevance of Programmes Offered at the Polytechnic

First Strategy - Curriculum review and development

Activities

1. Tracer study,
2. Develop new programmes

Outputs

1. Relevant programmes offered (14) focusing in mining engineering, biomedical engineering and diploma programmes

Beneficiaries

1. Students
2. Members of staff
3. The general public

Second Strategy - Provide appropriate equipment

Activities

1. Procure state-of-the art equipment

Outputs

1. Various sets of equipment including computers, laptops, 12 LCD projectors.
2. One Standby generator set
3. One 32 seat bus
4. One 4x4 double cab field vehicle

Beneficiaries

1. Students
2. Members of staff
3. Public and private organisations

Objective 3: Increase Human Resource Capacity

Strategy - Train staff to acquire relevant skills and competencies

Activities

1. Recruit and train staff

Outputs

1. Existing staff trained at Masters (17) and PhD (8) levels,
2. Technical support staff upgraded (8).

Beneficiaries

1. Students
2. Members of staff