The first ever partnership project between colleges in Scotland and Malawi has been launched.
The EVETS (Equipping Vocational Education and Training Staff) project was launched today at Adam Smith College in Fife by Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture, Linda Fabiani.
The tertiary project aims, through collaboration with Scottish colleges, to train staff at Malawi’s nineteen vocational colleges in leadership and development skills. Supported by £250,000 of Scottish Government funding, the project is being delivered by a consortium of ten Scottish colleges with Adam Smith College taking the lead.
The Scotland Malawi Partnership has many support projects geared towards primary and secondary education develop, but this is the first programme to date targeted at development of tertiary education. The scheme will offer tailored development programmes for principles and vice principles of Malawi’s vocational colleges based on the leadership programme for principles of Scotland’s colleges, ‘Leading and Learning’. Training is being delivered by different Scottish college principles and vice-principles in a series of five sessions throughout this year and next.
Malawi is the world’s fourth poorest country, where life expectancy is thirty-five for men and thirty-seven for women, and over fourteen per cent of the population is HIV positive.
Launching the project External Affairs Minster Linda Fabiani, who has recently visited Malawi said:
“I was delighted to be able to provide funding for this project, as announced last year, and I am pleased to be here today for the formal launch. I commend Scotland’s Colleges International for encouraging and supporting this initiative and Adam Smith College for taking the lead and making it happen on the ground.
“The need for Vocational Training in Malawi is paramount so that the young people can begin to work to improve themselves and their country, and in time, work themselves out of poverty.
"The input from Scotland’s Colleges to help develop colleges and further education across Malawi is therefore a significant milestone for the country’s ongoing development.’’
Dr. Craig Thomson, Principal of Adam Smith College added:
“EVETS is a very special project. It has the potential to have a significant impact on economic and social development in Malawi. The key to the future of Malawi, just as in Scotland, lies in the skills and knowledge of its population. Malawi’s colleges have a central role to play in developing these. Education has the power to transform the lives of individuals and the communities in which they live and work. It is great to see this in action through EVETS.”
One person has commented on this article. 1. Colleges partnership with Malawi launched
Leo Williams, Coordinator, Scotl, Unregistered Thank you for covering the launch of this important vocational education project, which is doing fantastically well to bring together Scottish and Malawian colleges, for the benefit of both countries.
Just to clarify - this is not a project of the Scotland Malawi Partnership, as one may infer from the article. Adam Smith College, and Scotland's Colleges International, are both members of the Scotland Malawi Partnership. These organsiations are part of a network of over 280 organsiations and individuals in Scotland who are working with Malawi. However, the are not, strictly speaking, projects of the Scotland Malawi Partnership. We exist to inspire people and organisations of Scotland to be involved with Malawi in an informed, coordinated and effective way so that both nations benefit. however, we do not fund, or 'own' the projects of our members.
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