By Staff Reporter

Leading global electronics and technology company, Samsung Electronics has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) for the implementation of the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) programme at the Thyolo based university.

SIC is a Samsung corporate social responsibility initiative aimed at training some underserved youths with 21st Century technology knowledge and skills to enable them stand a better chance of earning a living through employment or business.

Under the SIC, MUST will identify the youths through a laid down procedure and train them in areas of coding, computer programming, artificial intelligence, internet of things and other related technologies.

Speaking during an MoU signing ceremony in Lilongwe on October 30, 2023, MUST Vice Chancellor, Professor Address Malata hailed the initiative, saying Samsung is a big global brand and any partnership with it brings many opportunities.

According to Professor Malata, the MoU would, among others, offer MUST an opportunity to expand access to tertiary education, especially for youths who are not formally selected for university education.

“As a university we believe we have an obligation to build human capital development for the youth in Malawi. We know not all of them can make it to university but where we have an opportunity to train them in any area of science, technology and innovation, we do that,” she said, adding already MUST runs projects such as the Girls Science Camp, Junior Engineer Academy and Community Innovator targeting secondary school students and community members, respectively.

And for the latter, Professor Malata said education levels count for nothing so long as the people have innovative ideas with potential to transform Malawi.

“In terms of computer and information technology, we are already doing great with our students winning regional awards for successive years. We also offer computer studies to all our first year students irrespective of their programme of study and some of the things they learn include coding and computer programming,” she said while assuring Samsung that MUST was a perfect partner for the SIC.

Apart from the youth, Professor Malata said the SIC programme will also help MUST staff to interact, learn and acquire modern technological knowledge and skills from experts at Samsung.

“The coming of this project will help youths to hone advanced technological skills that will support Malawi’s aspirations as outlined in Malawi 2063,” said Professor Malata.

In her remarks, Head of Transformation at Samsung (Africa) Lenhle Khoza, speaking on behalf of Vice President of Samsung Central Africa, Sung Wong Jung who had co-signed the MoU with Professor Malata, said the initiative will help to transform the economy of Malawi as more youths will be equipped with innovative skills.

“Samsung is committed to creating opportunities that will see the youth becoming innovative in Malawi and hence help in artificial intelligence programming,” Khoza said.

Samsung is a leading South Korean multinational electronics company headquartered in Yeongtong-gu and has been working with African Universities under the SIC in 2019.