Building a Smarter Malawi: Astria Learning Supports UNIMA’s Laptop Empowerment Programme
On August 29, 2025, the University of Malawi’s Great Hall came alive with energy and optimism as students, lecturers, government officials, and partners gathered for a historic milestone: the launch of the Student Laptop Empowerment Programme.
Astria Learning proudly stands behind this transformative initiative, fully aligned with our vision of harnessing technology to advance education and our mission to empower every learner with equal opportunities. By supporting this programme, we are taking a meaningful step toward bridging the digital divide, ensuring that no student is left behind, and equipping the next generation with the tools to shape Malawi’s digital future.
Why This Matters for Students
For many students, access to a laptop has been the missing link in their academic journey. Without reliable technology, participation in online learning, research, and collaboration has been limited.
That is why this programme is so transformative. As Honourable Dr. Jessie Kabwila, Minister of Higher Education, explained:
“A laptop today is a student’s digital backpack, the gateway to lecture notes, research databases, simulations, e-assessment, and collaborative learning.”
Through the technical delivery and dedicated support of Astria Learning, alongside affordable financing from the National Bank of Malawi, students now have a real opportunity to access devices that were once beyond their reach. By backing this programme, we are not only enabling technology access but also advancing our vision of transforming education through innovation and fulfilling our mission to empower learners everywhere. This initiative is a concrete step toward bridging the digital divide, ensuring every student can fully participate in the digital world and build the skills needed for tomorrow’s opportunities.
Voices of Hope and Leadership
The launch event featured powerful messages of vision and commitment.
Prof. Samson Sajidu, Vice Chancellor of UNIMA, emphasized the transformative power of technology:
“The laptops we launch today are more than machines. They are tools of empowerment, enablers of knowledge, and catalysts for transformation.”
CEO of Astria Learning, Dr. Jeff Bordes, highlighted how this programme connects to Malawi’s digital future and to Astria Learning’s core values:
“Every device we place in the hands of a student is a seed for Malawi’s digital future. If we nurture it with learning, innovation, and resilience, it will grow into skills, jobs, and solutions that will transform Malawi into a thriving nation.”
Together, these voices affirm a shared mission: to give every student the tools to succeed and to position Malawi as a knowledge-driven economy. For Astria Learning, this partnership is a clear example of how we live our mission every day, by helping bridge the digital divide and creating sustainable opportunities for learners.
The programme starts with 1,000 laptops for UNIMA students, supported by flexible repayment terms, warranties, and ICT support. As repayments succeed and demand grows, future phases will expand to more universities, giving thousands more learners the tools to thrive in a connected world.
Towards Inclusive Digital Education
This programme is part of UNIMA’s broader eCampus strategy, making higher education flexible, inclusive, and globally competitive. By uniting government leadership, academic vision, financial innovation, and Astria Learning’s support, it represents a collaborative model for sustainable digital inclusion.
As Dr. Bordes concluded at the launch:
“Together, we are launching devices for students today and building a smarter Malawi for tomorrow.”
A Commitment to Malawi’s Digital Future
The Student Laptop Empowerment Programme is more than a technology initiative, it is a bold step toward equity, inclusion, and national progress. By supporting this programme, Astria Learning, alongside UNIMA and the National Bank of Malawi, is investing in a generation of students who will drive Malawi’s transformation into a knowledge-driven economy.
For Astria Learning, this event exemplifies our vision of advancing education through technology and our mission to empower every learner with equal access to digital tools. By actively participating in this initiative, we are helping bridge the digital divide, ensuring that all students have the resources and opportunities they need to succeed and thrive in a connected, digital world.
Frequently Asked Questions
The UNIMA Laptop Empowerment Programme is an initiative designed to provide university students with access to laptops, enabling digital learning, online research, and participation in modern education environments.
Bridging the digital divide ensures equal access to learning resources, improves student outcomes, and prepares graduates with digital skills required for the global workforce. differently, but lectures treat everyone the same
- Students just sit and listen instead of actively participating
Digital access allows students to:
- Participate in online classes
- Access digital libraries and academic journals
- Collaborate with peers and lecturers remotely
Astria Learning supports institutions by providing digital learning platforms, online libraries, and scalable education technology that complements hardware access initiatives.
Laptops enable students to attend virtual lectures, submit assignments online, interact with learning management systems, and use digital collaboration tools. students and educators.
The programme strengthens digital literacy, enhances academic performance, and supports national goals for innovation-driven economic growth.
Yes. With the right digital infrastructure, content platforms, and institutional partnerships, similar programmes can be scaled across African higher education systems.
