DEPARTMENTS
Data Science
Department Head
Dr. Owen Mtambo
Biography
Mission
The mission of the department is to serve as a source of expertise and a hub for training and research in quantitative aspects of public health and medicine in Malawi, promote capacity building among researchers and students, promote the adoption of rigorous quantitative methods in biomedical and public health sciences in Malawi, provide an environment for leading edge research with a strong and rapid impact on the economy of the Malawi nation, and establish a centre of technological knowledge and a “go to organization” to service health-related data creators, providers, managers, and users in Malawi and worldwide.
Vision
The vision of the Department of Data Science is to train the next generation of researchers and students in Malawi as data managers, biostatisticians, and data scientists who will be able to solve miscellaneous real-world health-related challenges through world-class biomedical and public health research by taking advantage of the unprecedented opportunities that have immerged through data revolution.
Goals
To fulfil this mission, the department has established the following goals:
- To maintain high health-related data quality that is ethically and securely managed with high degree of reproducibility;
- To establish a trusted and reliable source of health-related data for relevant evidence-based policy making in Malawi;
- To maintain and enhance an internationally recognized platform for training data managers, biostatisticians and data scientists who can play health-related leadership roles in Malawi;
- To maintain an independent biostatistical research unit for developing new statistical methods for biomedical and public health sciences in Malawi;
- To provide research opportunities for young researchers and students in Malawi;
- To provide quality courses in data management, biostatistics and data science for researchers and students to enhance relevant capacity building in Malawi;
- To contribute to the advancement of knowledge in public health and medicine through participation in collaborative, interdisciplinary research;
- To maintain a platform for consultation on aspects related to data management, biostatistics, and data science that is responsive to the needs of researchers, students, and the broader community.