The Malawi government has given K500, 000 each to 17 young students from the country’s public universities to be used in their research studies.

The official handover ceremony was presided over by the Chief Director for Basic and Secondary Education in the Ministry of Education Science and Technology, Thokozile Banda at Chancellor College on Tuesday.

Speaking at the event, Banda said the government introduced upcoming research initiative with the aim of sponsoring students from public universities who are doing different research studies.

She highlighted that research is very key for every country’s development hence the move by government to fund the sector.

‘’As government we introduced the upcoming research initiative to assist the students to run their research smoothly.”

“The National Education Plan emphasizes on the need to strengthen research in various universities in the country,’’ Banda added.

She however urged the students to use the resources wisely and carry out the research within the given time frame.

Speaking on behalf of students, John Kuyokwa but thanking the government for introducing such initiative.

“I will use the money wisely to achieve my goals as well assisting in developing the country,” Kuyokwa, who is researching on ‘relationship between unsocial behaviour and depression among learners in secondary schools,’ added.