Three final-year students from the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) are participating in the AgriGROW project’s student challenge programme at Bugema University in Uganda. 

The students, Thandiwe Chisi, Mark Msiska and Haleema Amasi, are engaged in a two-week challenge on the honey value chain. 

The challenge started on September 14 and will end on September 28, 2024. They are doing the challenge with students from University of Copenhagen in Denmark and Bugema University.

The student challenge is an interdisciplinary initiative of the AgriGROW project, which brings together participants from diverse academic backgrounds and countries to address real-world challenges in honey production. 

During the challenge, students will interact with beekeepers at various levels of expertise from seasoned professionals to beginners, allowing them to directly learn about the complexities of the honey value chain from those involved at the grassroots.

In addition to their focus on the honey value chain, the MUST students are also working on the development of biodegradable tree seedling tubes. 

This initiative aligns well with product development within the honey value chain and supports the AgriGROW project's emphasis on climate-smart agriculture. 

By integrating sustainable practices, they aim to enhance both the honey industry and environmental stewardship.

The collaborative effort involves three universities Bugema University, MUST and University of Copenhagen. 

Together, they aim to develop innovative solutions to enhance the sustainability and profitability of the honey industry in both Uganda and Malawi.

The MUST students are being mentored by their lecturers, Mr Blessings Masina and Mrs Ellasy Gulule Chimimba, who have provided guidance throughout the preparation for the challenge. 

The mentorship ensures that the students' contributions are grounded in both academic and practical knowledge, increasing the potential impact of their work.

This challenge offers an opportunity for academic learning, cross-cultural exchange, and professional networking. 

The MUST students have expressed eagerness to apply their engineering skills and knowledge to develop sustainable solutions that will benefit both countries' honey industries.

Their participation underscores MUST's commitment to fostering practical problem-solving skills among its students, preparing them to be leaders in their fields.