Minister urges technical colleges to leverage innovations for revenue growth and sustainability

Minister of Labour Vitumbiko Mumba has urged Technical Colleges and Vocational Training institutions in Malawi to capitalize on the innovations they develop by marketing them to generate revenue and increase their financial sustainability.

Speaking in Mzuzu on Tuesday when he visited Mzuzu Technical College, Mumba applauded the fact that most institutions in the country are doing well in coming up with new innovations, however he noted that little is being done to market the same to the general public.

“I am aware that these colleges have some funding woes, but they can utilize their respective innovations by turning them into sources of generating income for themselves.

“For instance at Mzuzu Technical College, we have seen a solar powered charging facility which one can use to charge multiple gadgets at once. We have also seen a modern type of irrigation facility at Sonda which is a brain child of Mzuzu Technical College,” said Mumba.

Mumba said the institutions need to show what they can offer to the nation through development of more useful innovations which can lure stakeholder investment.

Julius Phiri, Principal for Mzuzu Technical College which is jointly run by Roman Catholic Church’s Mzuzu Diocese and Malawi Government through Ministry of Labour, appreciated the Ministerial visit noting it is a source of motivation to the students at the facility.

“Through visits like this one, our students get encouraged and motivated specifically if their respective innovations are appreciated.

“We have taken note of suggestions by the minister such that we will move on to get certification for some innovations which are already completed so that we can sale them out,” said Phiri.

Mumba who was in company of Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Labour Chikondano Mussa, Technical Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TEVETA) Executive Director Elwin Sichilora and other officials from Ministry of Labour has been in the northern region since Monday visiting both Private and Public facilities to check compliance on different labour related laws.