Service | Perfection | Self Reliance

Department of

A Legacy of Excellence in Security and Governance

From its roots as the Centre for Security Studies in 2007, the Department of Governance, Peace, and Security Studies (GPSS) has grown into a leader in political science, public administration, peace, and security education. Initially offering executive short courses, the department has trained over 500 professionals, including security personnel, legislators, journalists, and civil society actors in civil-military relations, security sector governance, and parliamentary oversight.

Following Mzuzu University’s faculty restructuring in 2017, GPSS evolved into a multidisciplinary hub, merging political science, governance, public administration, and security studies. This unique structure fosters high-quality research and dynamic academic programmes, preparing students to address global and regional security and governance challenges.

Train for impact. Lead with integrity. Secure a better future with GPSS.

Programmes

Explore our diverse range of programmes. All programmes are accredited by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), ensuring academic and professional excellence.

Research, Outreach and Publications

Our department and research teams actively publish in peer-reviewed journals, contributing valuable insights to the fields of Peace Governance and Security Studies. These publications reflect our commitment to academic excellence and our drive to address pressing global challenges.

Research Publications

Fielder, R.N., Manda, M., Mphande, C, Mhango, G., Itimu-Phiri, A. (2024) ‘Gender equality and inequality for students and staff on Mzuzu University campus’, in R Fielder and C Mphande, Gender Based Violence in Malawi: Critiquing Beliefs and Practices that Impede Gender Equality, Mzuzu: Mzuni Press. pp 17-37.

Mhango, G.A and Kithatu-Kiwekete, A. (2023) ‘Peace enforcement in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: Reflections on the Force Intervention Brigade’, Strategic Review for Southern Africa, Vol. 45, No. 1, pp 28-48.

Mhango, G.A (2013) ‘Contesting the political space of decentralization and development planning in rural Malawi: Insights from project selection in Mulanje and Mwanza districts’, in G.K Scott and M Wallis (eds) Citizen Engagement, Decentralization and Public Service Delivery in Africa, Nairobi: Association of African Public Administration and Management (AAPAM).

Mhango, G.A (2012) ‘Is quiet diplomacy in consonance with peacemaking in SADC? Lessons from Zimbabwe’, Southern African Peace and Security Studies, 1(1): 14-25

Ongoing research projects 

Global South Perspectives on Foreign Policies of Great Powers (US, Russia, China)

Mediation of Inter-state Territorial Disputes in Africa

Evolution of Peacekeeping Norms and Practices

Njoloma, E. and Kamanga, G., 2024 (FORTHCOMING)

Assessing the Preparedness of Malawi’s Tourism and Hospitality Industry For Terrorist Attacks. In Isaac, R.K., Maingi, S.W. and Gowresunkar, V.GB (eds), Tourism Safety, Security and Resilience: Integrated Community-Based Approaches, London and New York: Routledge.

Njoloma, E.2020

Straddling between Convergence and Divergence: A Constructivist View of 

Malawi’s Foreign Policy in Post-Independence Africa. In Bischoff, P.H. (ed), African Foreign Policies: Selecting Signifiers to Explain Agency, London: Routledge.

Kanyangale, M., and Njoloma, E., 2020

Relational-based Resilience of a Public University: A case Study on Losing a 

Library by Mzuzu University in Malawi, South African Journal of Libraries and  

Information Science 86(1): 14-25.

Njoloma, E. and Kamanga, G., 2019

The Effects of Crime on Tourist’s Travel Decision to Malawi, African Journal of 

Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure 8(3): 1-11.

Kamanga, G. and Njoloma, E. 2019

The Socio-economic Impact of Tourism on Local Community in Nkhata Bay 

district, Malawi. In Gursory, D and Nunkoo, R (eds.) The Routledge Handbook 

of Tourism Impacts: Theoretical and Applied Perspectives, London: Routledge.

Njoloma, E. 2015

The Role of History in Malawi’s Foreign Policy towards Zimbabwe. The Journal 

of the Catholic University of Malawi 1(1): 102-112.

Thindwa, T. (2023) “Foreign Involvement in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism” (PCVE) in A. van Nieuwkerk, Shule, L., &S., Buchanan-Clarke(eds), African Perspectives on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism Southern Africa Security Review 2022, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (Mozambique). Available from: https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/mosambik/20438.pdf 

Thindwa, T. (2014) ‘China-Malawi relations: An analysis of trade patterns and development implications’, African-East Asian Affairs, Issue 4, pp 45-77

Thindwa, T.,Chawinga, W., & Dube, G.(2018),Information-seeking Behaviour of Security Studies students: A case study, South African Journal of Information Management, Vol 21, No 1 (2019)