UDI Awards Postgraduate Students Research Grants

The Centre for Education Research and Training (CERT) at the University of Malawi is implementing the Unlocking Data Initiative (UDI) as part of the broader UDI collaborative programme taking place in Cameroon, Kenya, and Malawi. UDI has awarded four postgraduate students research grants under the theme “Unlocking Data: Scaling Up the Uses and Users of Data in Education Systems.” Each student has received a grant of MK1,500,000. The ceremony, held on 19th November 2025 in the Economics Boardroom, was graced by the Head of CERT, Dr. Dorothy Bwanaisa Nkhata. Other attendees included the UDI–UNIMA team, the awardees, and various UNIMA staff members.

During the ceremony, Dr. Nkhata welcomed all attendees and expressed gratitude for their presence. She also congratulated the awardees, noting that CERT is one of the University’s research arms, mandated to conduct research that informs policy and educational practice. She further stated, “The purpose of this event is to recognise and celebrate the postgraduate students who have fulfilled the requirements of the grant.” This grant, funded by GPE KIX and IDRC, is expected to award four research grants delivered in three phases.

UDI, pioneered in 2019 by ESSA (UK), Zizi Afrique (Kenya), and EdTech Hub (UK), aims to build a community of practice for learning and knowledge sharing. It also focuses on improving access to and use of education data, particularly at the country level. Its intended outcome is to enhance members’ capacity to unlock, analyse, and use education data to improve education outcomes for young people.

The four awardees, Mr. Abel Chikhali, Ms. Takondwa Piriminta, Mr. Ben K. Lwanja, and Mr. Kelvin Chisale expressed gratitude to the UDI team for the grants. Speaking during the ceremony, Mr. Lwanja said the grant is a significant source of support and motivation for him and his colleagues. He explained that his research topic, “The Influence of Parental Education Aspirations on Early Grade Participation and Foundational Learning Outcomes in Malawi,” will examine parental development, PTA engagement, availability of books at home, and parenting practices. He also highlighted that his study will explore how parents discipline their children.

The UDI country lead, Ms. Esmie Kadzamira, concluded the event by thanking all attendees for their presence and encouraging the awardees to keep in touch with the UDI team. She mentioned that the team plans to engage the awardees through seminars where they can present updates on the progress of their work.