Malawi Research and Education Network (MAREN) employees have been encouraged to prioritise serving the interest of the nation to leave a lasting legacy of the organisation in meeting the needs of the research and education community in the country.

MAREN Chief Executive Officer, Solomon Dindi made the appeal to the employees during a two-day orientation workshop for newly recruited managers for the network held in Mulanje district.

The workshop comes as MAREN continues to beef up its secretariat and workforce following the recent recruitment of Network and Infrastructure Manager, Alexius Chipalamwazani and Finance and Administration Manager, Grace Dzoole.

‘As employees our first objective should be that of serving the needs of students and researchers in the country so that in the future history should recognise that we did a tremendous job of reaching out even to the remotest student in the most hard to reach areas. Our personal interests should be secondary.’  

The CEO challenged the staff to be visionary in their work as they have the power to make lasting impressions in the country’s research and education community.

‘Dr Paulos Nyirenda is credited to have played a big role in developing the internet in Malawi. We also have Margaret Ngwira who championed the formation of present day MAREN. These examples should encourage us that as individuals we can make significant contributions that can benefit the nation. We have a duty to serve the nation,’ added Dindi.    

Speaking during the workshop, one of MAREN’s founding members, Prof. Chipo Kanjo advised the new members of staff to exercise patience and show commitment and dedication in their work if MAREN is to continue its trajectory of success achieved in the recent years.

‘Despite its formation  in 2005 MAREN only got registered in 2009 and connected  to the regional research and education network in 2019 when it started connected member universities. We have had individuals that worked on voluntary basis and endured various challenges until we got connected. As new employees we need to emulate and replicate the spirit of those before us so that we continue achieving the success that we celebrating today, advised Prof Kanjo.  

During the workshop, employees were oriented in various areas including in staff communication, employee conditions of services, performance approval, asset management and procurement.  

The workshop was attended by various stakeholders and officials including those from  the UbuntuNet Alliance, Public Private Partnership Commission (PPPC), Mzuzu University (Mzuni), Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) and University of Malawi (UNIMA).