Staff Spotlight

Meet Dr. Tiyesere Mercy Chikapa Jamali, a Senior Lecturer and Head of Department for Management and Leadership Studies at the University of Malawi (UNIMA), whose academic journey has been shaped by a passion for Human Resource Management, gender at the workplace, and a deep commitment to helping students realise their potential.

A graduate of the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, where she obtained a Master of Arts in Human Resource Management, Dr. Jamali further advanced her academic journey with a PhD in Business and Management from the University of Manchester, which she obtained in 2018.

She joined UNIMA as a Staff Associate in 2005, became a Lecturer in 2007, and was promoted to a Senior Lecturer in 2020.

Her research focuses particularly on women and the workplace, examining their experiences at work and at home and how these intersect to shape their career trajectories. Her interest in the subject began during her undergraduate studies at the University of Malawi, where she audited a Sociology module on gender relations, linking it with knowledge gained from human resource management and public administration modules while pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration.

She later applied this knowledge to an assignment in Constitutional Law, an experience that sparked a deeper interest in gender and governance. This interest continued during her Master's studies, where a module on Gender at the Workplace inspired her to focus her thesis on the subject and subsequently shaped the direction of her doctoral research.

Dr. Jamali’s journey into the academia is also rooted in a childhood ambition. When she was in Standard 5, she remembers saying that she wanted to become a teacher.

Years later, while in her fourth year at university, she told a friend that she would like to become a lecturer at UNIMA.

That dream began to materialise in 2004 when she was given an opportunity to teach part-time at the University.

She later joined UNIMA as a Staff Associate in 2005, beginning an academic career that has seen her grow into a lecturer, researcher, mentor and a leader.

For Dr. Jamali, the academia is ultimately about making a difference in people's lives.

“I have always been fascinated with helping someone learn a new thing,” she says.

This passion for teaching and mentorship is reflected in what she considers one of the most rewarding aspects of her work: contributing to the graduation of hundreds of students every year and watching them go on to achieve success in their professional lives.

She is particularly inspired by mature-entry students who, after obtaining their qualifications, go on to take up key positions in their organisations.

“Seeing them successful after obtaining their degree and knowing that I contributed to that success is so rewarding,” she says.

Beyond teaching, Dr. Jamali is currently involved in research examining important workplace and employment challenges in Malawi.

One of her studies, “Working from Home Experiences among Members of the Institute of People Management – Malawi: Lessons for the Future,” explores the experiences and challenges faced by HR professionals who worked from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study examines the technologies used for remote work, workers’ experiences with those technologies and their effects on employee performance.

Her second study, “Austerity and Precarious Employment in Malawi’s Health Sector Post the COVID-19 Pandemic,” examines how austerity measures have influenced the rise of precarious employment within Malawi’s health sector.

Through this research, Dr. Jamali hopes to contribute to improvements in remote working and inform policies on how to navigate the effects of austerity measures on employment outcomes.

One of the achievements she is most proud of is successfully completing her PhD while raising four children and supporting a husband who was also pursuing a PhD.

For Dr. Jamali, this remains her greatest career achievement — a reflection of resilience, determination and the ability to pursue academic excellence while balancing with family responsibilities.

She believes UNIMA’s strength lies in the calibre of its academics.

“UNIMA has well-qualified, experienced and respected academics,” she says.

Through her various roles at the University, Dr. Jamali has also found herself inspiring students beyond those she directly teaches, demonstrating the broader influence academics can have within the university community.

Away from teaching, research and university responsibilities, Dr. Jamali enjoys spending time with her family and watching movies. She also reveals that she still enjoys watching Nigerian movies.

From a childhood dream of becoming a teacher to becoming a Senior Lecturer and Head of Department, Dr. Jamali’s journey is one of purpose, perseverance and impact. Her story reflects the transformative power of education and the enduring influence of an academic committed to advancing knowledge while helping others achieve their full potential.