Mzuzu University (MZUNI) on Wednesday, 3rd December, 2025 commemorated 20 years of the American Corner, celebrating its role in expanding access to information, technology and educational opportunities since its establishment in 2005.
Speaking during the event, MZUNI Vice-Chancellor Professor Wales Singini described the two decades as a period of growth and transformation for the institution and the communities it serves.
“Two decades is a significant period in the life of any institution, a journey marked by growth, resilience, and countless stories of transformation,” he said.
U.S. Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires Jonathan Fischer said the American Corner has provided citizens with educational and economic opportunities that might be difficult or expensive to find elsewhere.
“We have done our best to foster a spirit of innovation and collaboration, helping Malawians access the tools, knowledge, and networks they need to succeed,” he said.
Fischer said it was exciting that so many young Malawians started their journeys to study in the United States or to participate in a U.S. Government Exchange Programme at American Corner Mzuzu.
Samir Simkonda, a Study of the US Institutes alumnus and adjunct lecturer at Mzuzu University, shared how the American Corner shaped both his studies and his career.
“The American Corner positively impacted my academic life during my time as a student at MZUNI. It provided the study environment and access to books, articles and Internet that helped me pursue my studies effectively. After participating in the U.S Exchange Programme, the American Corner also became an ideal venue for the media and digital literacy trainings I conduct,” he said.
Others who have benefitted from the facility are Grace Daka and Lucy Msukwa. Daka used the American Corner’s resources in 2008 to complete academic work and later pursued a career as a STEM educator while Msukwa used the American Corner to train 147 women in business skills, helping strengthen local self-help groups.
Professor Singini noted that schools such as Viyele Primary School and Luwinga Secondary School have also benefited from the Corner’s services. He added that various businesswomen in Mzuzu have been trained at the facility, improving the performance of their enterprises.
Findings from a 2024 study by Dr. Aubrey Chaputula, Allan Kanyundo and Gift Dube, published in Social Sciences and Humanities Open Journal, revealed that storytelling at the American Corner encouraged women to share business information and support each other economically.
The American Corner, established in partnership with the US Embassy, has served as a learning hub for students and the surrounding communities in Mzuzu. It also provides free access to information resources, computers, internet services and training programmes.