Adapting an Online Learning Quality Assurance Framework in a Developing Country Setting: The Case of a HEI in Malawi

Covid-19 prompted many higher education institutions (HEIs), even in developing countries like Malawi, to abruptly shift from their traditional face-to-face mode of delivery to online learning. However, quality issues with online learning remain one of the greatest challenges to acceptance of online learning by many students and stakeholders. This paper presents an action research based study at the Malawi University of Science and Technology, in which an online learning quality assurance framework is adapted to a developed country setting. The adapted framework builds on the Online Learning Consortium (OLC) Quality Scorecard for the Administration of Online Programs. The contextualization and validation of the framework is done using a modified mini-Delphi technique. Validation of the adapted framework identified key issues including financing of online learning, IT infrastructure challenges, lack of faculty training in online teaching and need for proper quality assurance instruments for monitoring online learning

Manufacturing and Industrialization in Malawi: Trends, Opportunities, and Strategies

We review experiences from other fast-growing economies in sub-Saharan Africa and newly industrialized economies in East Asia to draw out lessons for Malawi’s industrialization strategy to promote employment, wealth creation, and reduced economic vulnerabilities associated with primary agricultural products