About Us

About the Department

The Department of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at Mzuzu University is one of the finest departments at the university and in Malawi with a host of programmes and opportunities at the undergraduate, postgraduate and professional levels. It was established in the year 2005 under the Faculty of Information Science and Communications. The Department now belongs to the Faculty of Science, Technology And Innovation (FoSTI) since 2018 due to a restructuring within the university. The Department was primarily established to reduce the acute shortage of ICT professionals in Malawi by responding to various policies such as the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS II), National ICT Policy, and ICT for Development (ICT4D) Policy and Vision 2020. These strategic documents realize that rapid development in all sectors of the economy will require a highly skilled and educated workforce, in particular the application of science, technology and innovation. Globally, ICT is recognized as an essential enabler of the economic development of nations. Therefore, ICT professionals graduating from the programme are relevant in Africa and the world at large.

Vision

To be a  premier provider of high-quality education, training,  research and outreach in ICT and ICT-related emerging technologies.

Mission Statement

To lead the advancement of ICT and ICT-related technology through internationally recognized research and education and technology transfer.

Core functions of the Department

The core functions of the Department are:

  1. To build human capacity, through professional training in ICT and ICT-related technologies, for national and international consumption.
  2. To undertake applied research in ICT and emerging technologies for the development of sustainable solutions to challenges faced by communities in Malawi and globally;
  3. To undertake consultancy works in response to the needs of both public and private sectors; and
  4. To engage communities and create awareness of ICT and ICT-related technologies for sustainable development of both local and international communities.

The department has an enrollment of more than 310 students in all programmes as of 2022, representing 35 per cent females and 65 per cent males. The goal of the department is to accomplish a 50 – 50 representation of both males and females.

As of 2022, the ICT department offers several programmes in two modes: face-to-face and alternative (Weekend only). This alternative mode (weekend mode) was designed to cater for the working class but would like to build their capacity. the following programmes are offered at the undergraduate level:

  1. BSc in Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
  2. BSc in Data Science
  3. BSc in Education ICT (Co-offered with the faculty of Education)
  4. Diploma in ICT

The department is at an advanced stage to introduce the following postgraduate programmes:

  1. MSc in Information and Communication Technology with specialization in Computer Networks and Communications, Information Systems and Application Development, Data Science

The department is an Accredited Training Centre for the following professional courses:

  1. Chief Certified Information Systems Officer (CCISO) by EC-Council
  2. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) by EC-Council
  3. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) by CISCO
  4. International Computer Driving License (ICDL) programmes