Michigan State University is collaborating with Lincoln University and the University of Malawi on a new project involving academic exchanges, research, curriculum improvements, and workshops to educate policy makers, NGO leaders and university faculty. The goal is to help find new ways to contribute more effectively to African development and transformation through agriculture-led economic growth.

“We are focused on enhancing and empowering institutions of higher education in Malawi so that their contributions are more effective in supporting development in Africa,” said Anne Ferguson, MSU professor of anthropology and co-director of the Center for Gender in Global Context. “An ecosystem services focus in research, curricular development, and outreach is critical as the country is facing complex environmental and development challenges.”

In 2011, as part of the collaboration, two Ph.D. candidates from Malawi arrived in East Lansing. Over the next five years they will research and develop an understanding of sustainable agricultural and environmental practices in relation to current challenges faced in the region.

“I hope to apply what I am learning from my research in the Great Lakes to what is happening to the fish populations in Lake Malawi,” said Madalitso Magombo, MSU Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. “Fish is a staple in the Malawian diet and without it millions will lose their only affordable source of protein.”

One of the objectives of the partnership is to strengthen the capacities of all the universities involved to identify, apply for, and manage international, collaborative, interdisciplinary research projects in the areas of environmental, agricultural and social sciences. To do this multiple grant writing workshops, training courses and research planning programs are taking place in the region.