The Africa Centre of Excellence in Neglected and Underutilised Biodiversity (ACENUB) at Mzuzu University has made remarkable progress since its establishment in 2022. Through various initiatives, ACENUB has created a vibrant and dynamic environment for both students and staff.
One of ACENUB’s key achievements is the enrollment of postgraduate students. To date, 147 students have been admitted, including seven female PhD candidates and 36 female Master’s students, reflecting a strong commitment to gender inclusivity in the field of neglected and underutilised biodiversity. These students are actively engaged in transformative research.
Peace Ajuna’s PhD study on monkey beans in Malawi explores the economic potential of underutilised indigenous plants.
I travelled to many districts in Malawi to collect data. My study is quite unique because it focuses on monkey beans, which most communities in Malawi do not fully utilise despite their huge economic potential. This wonderful experience will be shared with my peers when I return home to Tanzania.” Ms. Peace Ajuna, PhD student.
Reflecting on his journey, Mr. Paul Wanjala, a Master’s student from Uganda studying the antibacterial and preservative properties of lemongrass oil, said:
“I have had an exciting experience at Mzuzu University under the supervision of Associate Professor Elijah Wanda and Associate Professor John F. Kamanula. I gained knowledge in various laboratories, including essential oil extraction, chemical analysis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), antibacterial activity assays at Mzuzu Central Hospital, and shelf-life studies at the Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Laboratory.”
For his outstanding performance, Wanjala also received the Community Action Research Projects for Enterprise Development (CARP-E) award, which promotes research and regional integration.
ACENUB has further facilitated valuable exchange programmes, with 141 staff and students participating in national, regional, and international collaborations. These exchanges have strengthened capacity, knowledge, and collaborative research and teaching. Dr. Ulemu Msiska, a staff member at Mzuzu University who participated in the programme highlighted the benefits of her visit to the Makerere University Regional Center for Crop Improvement (MaRCCI) in Uganda.
“It was exciting to share the knowledge I have with students at Makerere. My lectures focused on seed sample preparation for the Tetrazolium Test, and I supported postgraduates in identifying storage pests (Bruchid). I also learned a lot from the students and staff at Makerere.”
Another significant milestone is the signing of 26 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with national, regional, and international partners. Among these, the most notable was signed with the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) on February 12, 2024.
MBS Director General Bernard Thole emphasized the importance of this partnership:
“This MoU is very important because it aligns well with objective number one in our strategic plan, which focuses on capacity building and institutional strengthening. We need to collaborate with other institutions with similar interests in the country.”
Additionally, ACENUB has contributed to 44 publications by staff and students.
