Update: Malawi's ongoing education reforms continue to attract international attention, with Minister of Education Bright Msaka officially invited to present the country's progress at the Education World Forum in London between May 17 and 19. MBC reports that Msaka will join a global panel discussing early childhood and foundational learning to share how domestic education initiatives are adapting to meet new standards.
In university news, the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) announced on May 13 that its "My LUANAR Challenge" initiative has successfully reached over 60,000 secondary school students, according to the university's official updates. Speaking at an award ceremony at the Bunda campus, Deputy Vice Chancellor Associate Professor Agnes Mwangwela praised the achievement. She noted the sharp increase from the 20,000 students engaged during the program's first edition last year.
Additionally, LUANAR scientists are advancing agricultural research with expanded field trials for a homegrown organo-mineral fertiliser, SGCI Africa reports. Formulated over the past three years using local organic and mineral waste, the fertiliser is currently undergoing testing at five locations, including the Chitala, Bembeke, Bvumbwe, and Mbawa research stations. The trials follow preliminary testing that yielded an average of eight tonnes per hectare, as researchers work to reduce Malawi's reliance on imported inorganic fertilisers.