Information Science Publicationsrepository.mzuni.ac.mw/handle/123456789/702024-03-28T12:37:58Z2024-03-28T12:37:58ZThe Role of Telecentres in Empowering Rural Communities in MalawiKapondera, Sellina Khumborepository.mzuni.ac.mw/handle/123456789/4672024-03-21T08:14:17Z2021-01-01T00:00:00ZThe Role of Telecentres in Empowering Rural Communities in Malawi
Kapondera, Sellina Khumbo
Telecentres have existed for over three decades to reduce digital exclusion. However, their effectiveness remains debateable. This is mainly because research has focused on who owns and uses telecentres even though focusing on how telecentres empower their communities would make more meaningful contribution. Therefore, this study investigated how telecentres empower communities in Malawi. Specifically, it investigated how empowered telecentre users empower their communities; and the factors that influence users in empowering communities. I employed qualitative approach to collect data from two telecentres in Malawi. I call these Telecentre A and Telecentre B. Both of these telecentres were established by the Malawi Government and were later handed over to the community and entrepreneurs respectively. Specifically, focus groups, non-participant observation and semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data from telecentres users, indirect beneficiaries, telecentres managers and a government official. In this project, the telecentre manager, users and indirect beneficiaries were players at micro level while the government official was a major player at the macro level. The findings indicate that telecentres empower their users who, in turn, empower others at micro level i.e. empowering individuals such as friends, families and colleagues; and macro level. Users empower individuals by leading to intrapersonal empowerment for others e.g. increasing indirect beneficiaries’ psychological skills and cognitive frames and skills; and interactional empowerment e.g. critical awareness; leadership development; and career development and employment opportunities. At macro level, users lead to community organisation; and social empowerment e.g. improving health in the communities. The study further finds that some indirect beneficiaries empower others thereby extending empowerment effects of ICTs further. The findings of the study also indicate that conversion of individual user empowerment to community empowerment is enabled by social cohesion, sense of community, beneficiaries’ willingness for help, community participation, users’ desire for advancements and community organisations. The way these factors work differ based on the type of community. However, empowerment is hindered by limited availability of resources, people’s attitudes, gender issues, structural factors and psychological factors. The study furthers our understanding on effectiveness of telecentres in empowering communities, and consequently, in reducing digital exclusion. The main findings in this thesis point to the significance of going beyond telecentre users when assessing the impact of telecentres. The study makes valuable contribution by suggesting a model for understanding the role of telecentre in empowering rural communities in developing countries; and linking individual and community empowerment and the factors that mediate between these. The results are essential to the body of knowledge in ICT4D, practitioners, policy makers and Malawi Government.
2021-01-01T00:00:00ZThe role of information and communication technologies in the delivery of health services in rural communities: Experiences from MalawiNyasulu, ChimangoChawinga, Winner Dominicrepository.mzuni.ac.mw/handle/123456789/4022023-02-20T08:26:43Z2018-01-01T00:00:00ZThe role of information and communication technologies in the delivery of health services in rural communities: Experiences from Malawi
Nyasulu, Chimango; Chawinga, Winner Dominic
BACKGROUND: In recent years, Africa has experienced a boom in information and communication
technologies (ICTs). These ICTs have been hailed by the health sector as impetus for heath
service delivery in rural areas. In this regard, stakeholders in the health sector have made
attempts to reinforce frontline health workers with technological tools. Although there is much
evidence that ICTs play a key role in the health sector, it remains unknown how the health
sector in Malawi is exploiting ICTs in its delivery of day-to-day operations.
OBJECTIVES: In this study, we investigate the role that ICTs play in rural health. This study will
specifically determine the purposes that health surveillance assistants (HSAs) use ICTs for,
assess the ICT skills and expertise of HSAs, analyse benefits of ICTs and study the problems
faced by HSAs in the effective use of ICTs.
METHOD: In this study, a quantitative research method approach was adopted to address the
research objectives. Both research sites and respondents were selected using a convenient
sampling method. We self-administered and collected the questionnaire from the respondents.
The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse the data.
RESULTS: We find that HSAs have made headways in the adoption of various forms of ICTs
such as mobile phones alongside their applications (Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp).
However, efforts to maximise the appropriation of ICTs by HSAs are punctuated by various
hindrances including high cost of ICT gadgets, high cost of Internet bundles, inadequate
training in ICTs and lack of support from senior management in the Ministry of Health.
CONCLUSION: Use of ICTs in community health is slowly but surely possible. In a nutshell, the
study has shown that, regardless of perceivable hindrances associated with use of ICTs, HSAs
use some ICTs in their work and personal activities. It is evident that using mobile phones to
improve performance is an important area and that there is little interest in evaluating such
interventions.
2018-01-01T00:00:00ZInformation-seeking behaviour of security studies students: A case studyThindwa, TheodoraChawinga, Winner D.Dube, Giftrepository.mzuni.ac.mw/handle/123456789/4012023-02-20T08:31:45Z2019-01-01T00:00:00ZInformation-seeking behaviour of security studies students: A case study
Thindwa, Theodora; Chawinga, Winner D.; Dube, Gift
BACKGROUND: Undergraduate students need information for various reasons. However, it is
not a straightforward activity in retrieving the relevant information for accomplishing various
needs. This research is therefore justified as it aims at understanding information needs of
undergraduate students who are drawn from security organisations.
OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study was to analyse information needs, sources and
seeking patterns of security studies at Mzuzu University.
METHOD: The study adopted a mixed methods approach by sending a questionnaire to 108
students and conducting a set of three focus group discussions. The study was informed by
Kuhlthau’s information search process model.
RESULTS: The study finds that most students preferred Internet as a source of information. The
study further finds that most students need information mainly for academic activities,
accomplishing assignments, preparing examinations and completing research projects. Most
students preferred the search engines as the starting point for an information search. Feelings
proposed by Kuhlthau’s information search process model, which include anxiety, optimism,
uncertainty and excitement, were experienced by most of the students as they started an
information search for completing an assignment. However, there exist a number of challenges
that affect students’ information behaviour, such as the lack of online information literacy
skills, poor Internet access and shortage of computer laboratories.
CONCLUSION: Unlike previous studies, this study establishes that the information needs of
upgrading security studies students are focussed more on academic and work-related
purposes. Information seeking and gathering is a key component of their work, as they gather
information related to criminal activities and general intelligence. Upgrading undergraduate
students have additional information needs that go beyond their academic needs. There is a
need to design information interventions that would enhance their information search
experience based on some of the pointers provided by Kuhlthau’s model. In view of the above,
it can be argued that Internet is becoming a popular source of information in the 21st century;
hence, there is a need to provide e-support that would reduce students’ negative feelings and
enhance their Internet search process, thereby improving the overall quality of education.
2019-01-01T00:00:00ZData curation needs of researchers at Mzuzu UniversityMajawa, FelixNgwira, Fiskanirepository.mzuni.ac.mw/handle/123456789/2962022-08-04T17:32:24Z2016-01-01T00:00:00ZData curation needs of researchers at Mzuzu University
Majawa, Felix; Ngwira, Fiskani
The study examined data curation needed by researchers at Mzuzu University fifty (50) self-administered questionnaires were distributed to purposefully selected academic staffs representing 28% of the total population. 57% of the respondents were not familiar with the term "data curation" however, it was revealed that they actually practiced the aspects associated with data curation. Mixed views were generated from the researchers with 34% not willing to share their data for fear that others may reuse it for other purposes contrary to the original idea. 14% of the respondents indicated that they destroyed their data after conducting research which is contrary to the whole idea of data curation. However, 80% of the respondents agreed that data would be useful for future research. The study revealed unique issues to do with the management of data, data sharing and reuse and challenges, For the fact that data curation is a new concept with a lot of concerns worldwide, there is need for more research in the field to iron out gray areas on the processes of the concept. Researchers should be endowed with knowledge about the benefits of data curation such as data preservation, data archiving, data reuse which prevents duplication
2016-01-01T00:00:00Z