UNIMA, MAREN and TERNET Collaborate to Drive Innovation in Higher Education
As higher education institutions increasingly rely on digital technologies to improve teaching, learning, research, and innovation, collaboration among universities and National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) has become more important than ever.
Recognising the importance of sharing knowledge and new technologies, the University of Malawi (UNIMA) hosted a high-level delegation from the Tanzania Education and Research Network (TERNET) on 11th July 2026 to explore ways of improving the use of ICT in higher education and strengthening regional collaboration.
UNIMA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Samson Sajidu, met with the Chief Executive Officer of TERNET, Dr Frank Seth, who was accompanied by two TERNET Board members, Professor Alex Makulilo and Professor Yohane Msanjila who also serve as Vice-Chancellors of the Open University of Tanzania and St. John’s University in Tanzania respectively.
The meeting was also attended by the Chief Executive Officer of the Malawi Research and Education Network (MAREN), Mr. Solomoni Ndindi.
The meeting gave both sides an opportunity to share experiences on NRENs can better support universities in teaching, learning, research, innovation, and university management through digital technologies.
As the national research and education networks for Malawi and Tanzania, MAREN and TERNET provide universities with high-speed internet, digital infrastructure, and ICT services that support modern higher education.
The discussions focused on sharing best practices in digital transformation, improving access to reliable ICT services, strengthening research collaboration, and using new technologies to improve learning and university administration.
The meeting also explored ways in which MAREN and TERNET can work together to develop digital solutions that will benefit universities in both countries and the wider region.
Professor Sajidu described the meeting as productive, saying that Malawi and Tanzania face similar challenges in using digital technologies to provide quality higher education.
"This has been an extremely important meeting where we have shared experiences regarding the support that public universities receive from our NRENs. We have learned from one another and encouraged MAREN and TERNET to continue identifying and introducing new technologies that will strengthen ICT services in our universities," he said.
The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted the important role MAREN plays in supporting the University of Malawi's digital transformation by providing the internet connectivity and technical support needed for key university systems, including human resource management, student information systems, online learning platforms, and other ICT services.
The visit reaffirmed the shared commitment of UNIMA, MAREN, and TERNET to working together to improve ICT in higher education, strengthen research and innovation, and support the digital transformation of universities across the region.
