By Suleman Chitera

The growing partnership between Malawi and China in education has taken a major step forward with the establishment of a new School of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Hebron (UHB) in Lilongwe.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening Malawi’s capacity in artificial intelligence (AI), digital education, research and innovation while addressing the growing shortage of highly skilled AI professionals in Malawi and the wider Southern African region.

The development has been facilitated by Jani Grey Kasunda, who has played a central role as the project’s initiator and diplomatic coordinator, helping to connect Malawian higher education institutions with Chinese academic and research organisations.

The initiative brings together the University of Hebron and China’s Asian Business Research Institute, creating a platform for academic cooperation, research, knowledge exchange and the development of specialised technical skills.

As part of the initiative, UHB Chancellor Professor David Boston Kamchacha appointed Professor Huang Weijian, Deputy Vice President of Gonggong News Agency and a professor at the Asian Business Research Institute, as the founding Dean of the new School of Artificial Intelligence on May 4, 2026.

Professor Huang is expected to spearhead the preparation and development of the new school, including the design of academic programmes, curriculum development, research activities, teaching reforms and the establishment of a specialised AI teaching and research team.

Building Malawi’s AI talent pipeline

The establishment of the school comes at a time when artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming education, agriculture, business, public administration and other sectors of the global economy.

For Malawi, the initiative is expected to provide an important opportunity to develop home-grown expertise capable of applying emerging technologies to local challenges.

The partners intend to develop local teaching capacity, introduce standardised AI courses and establish practical training platforms where students and researchers can gain hands-on experience.

The programme will also explore practical applications of AI in areas such as agriculture, public services and digital governance.

Kasunda’s role has been particularly significant in creating communication channels between Malawian institutions and Chinese academic and research bodies.

His efforts contributed to the establishment of the strategic partnership between UHB and the Asian Business Research Institute and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining six major mechanisms for cooperation.

Chinese universities to join partnership

The cooperation is expected to expand beyond the two institutions, with plans to establish partnerships involving three Chinese universities.

The proposed collaboration will create opportunities for academic exchanges, joint research, professional development and talent development.

Students and academics are expected to benefit from increased exposure to international research, emerging technologies and specialised knowledge in AI and related digital disciplines.

The partnership also provides an opportunity for Malawian researchers to participate in collaborative projects with Chinese counterparts and explore solutions that can be adapted to Malawi’s development priorities.

UHB positions itself for digital transformation

Professor Kamchacha has been credited with providing leadership in the establishment of the new AI school as the university seeks to broaden its academic programmes and strengthen interdisciplinary education.

The university, established in 2019 and based in Lilongwe, says the school will help address gaps in AI teaching, professional systems and industry-academic research platforms.

The institution believes the new school can become an important centre for developing technical expertise and supporting Malawi’s transition towards a more digitally driven economy.

Beyond the classroom, the initiative is expected to create opportunities for research and innovation that connect universities with industry and public institutions.

A new chapter in Malawi-China education cooperation

The establishment of the School of Artificial Intelligence represents a new dimension in Malawi-China educational cooperation, moving beyond traditional academic exchanges towards specialised training, research and technological development.

As AI continues to influence the future of work and national development, the partners believe that investing in skills, research infrastructure and practical training will be critical for Malawi to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.

In the medium to long term, the initiative is expected to contribute to the development of highly skilled professionals who can support technological innovation in Malawi and across Africa.

The partnership ultimately seeks to strengthen educational ties between Malawi and China, build sustainable AI capacity and position higher education institutions as key drivers of digital transformation, innovation and economic development.

With the launch of the School of Artificial Intelligence, the University of Hebron is positioning itself at the centre of an emerging field that could play a significant role in shaping Malawi’s technological future.