Research administration and management are set to improve at the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme (MLW) following a recent capacity-building initiative.
MLW organised a Research Administration and Management Project (RAMP) training in March at Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre.
The three-day training, held from Monday, 9 March to Wednesday, 11 March 2026, brought together research managers, finance personnel, and administrators to enhance skills in effective communication, project management, and research administration.
Speaking during the training, MLW Deputy Director, Professor Janelisa Musaya, emphasised the importance of the initiative.
“This is an important opportunity for participants to strengthen their capacities in finance, administration, and research and project management,” she said.
The training attracted participants from MLW, KUHeS, and MUBAS, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing across institutions.
Participants described the training as impactful and relevant to their professional roles.
Mercy Munthali, MLW Professional Services Administrator, highlighted the value of the programme in strengthening her competencies.
“The training was an incredible value addition. It helped me understand key aspects of administration, management, and finance, which are critical in my role,” she said.
“I gained deeper insights into budget forecasting, log frames, and the theory of change,” added Munthali.
She noted that the exposure to different perspectives would enhance her effectiveness at work.
Similarly, MLW Safeguarding Officer Elizabeth Mkutumula said the training provided practical skills applicable to her role.
“The training gave me insights into conflict resolution, project progress tracking, budget review, and diary management skills that are crucial in my role. This will greatly help me manage departmental budgets and ensure tasks and activities are completed within time and budget,” she said.
The RAMP training was conducted with financial support from the office of MLW Deputy Director.
