Martha Sambani’s transformative Australia Awards Scholarship Journey

Martha’s transformative journey, catalysed by her Australia Awards Scholarship, exemplifies the profound impact of investing in individuals who are driven to make a difference. Equipped with a Master of Public Administration from the University of Canberra in 2012, Martha Sambani not only acquired invaluable academic expertise but also honed essential human skills vital for her career and community leadership.

Her Australia Awards education played a huge role in her many successes in her career, as a Gender Equity, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) champion in her community, in the Malawi Australia Alumni Association and as part of the Australia Awards Women in Leadership Chapter in Malawi.

“I do not doubt that Australia Awards not only impact scholars’ lives but also those of the communities around them”, she says.

Throughout her tenure as Deputy University Registrar at the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST), Martha seamlessly integrated her academic insights with her innate commitment to service. Drawing from a rich academic repertoire including subjects such as Public Sector Reform, Organisational Change, and Human Resource Management, Martha adeptly navigated the complexities of higher education administration, ensuring equitable access and quality education even amidst the challenges brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rooted in her personal journey of overcoming adversity, Martha remains steadfast in her commitment to uplift others. “Despite being brought up in a child-headed family, I became successful in my life and therefore  I am always on the lookout for children or orphans who need financial support. I’m using both my technical and human skills to complement my passion for using my Australia Awards experience in mentoring students and making a positive impact in my community”, she says.

Beyond her official responsibilities, Martha’s passion for nurturing future leaders and fostering inclusivity reverberates in her involvement with initiatives like the Annual Girls Science Camp. By leveraging her Australia Awards experience, she not only inspires young minds to pursue STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics subjects) but also instils in them the belief that education is a powerful tool for empowerment. The University sponsors the camp and Martha volunteers her time to mentor over 20 school girls and stresses the importance of pursuing higher education.

Martha, in her role as Deputy University Registrar, works with student admissions and welfare management while overseeing examination and assessment procedures.  According to Martha the transition to remote learning in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic came with many challenges such as ensuring fair access to reliable internet and the implementation of new technologies to enhance student learning. She emphasises that achieving equitable access involves the offering of flexible study programs and delivery models that cater to individuals at various stages of life. This enables students to pursue higher education in a manner that aligns with their specific needs.

When the Malawi Australia Alumni Association adopted Magwero Primary School  Martha volunteered her time to assist the school and local community with the planting of trees while also educating the students about the importance of trees in the mitigation of the effects of climate change. The association also used the donations of members to buy teaching materials and sporting equipment for the school. The initiative supports the Government’s efforts to facilitate improved learning outcomes for students.

Looking ahead, Martha’s trajectory continues to ascend as she embarks on her doctoral journey in Higher Education at Rhodes University in South Africa. Her unwavering dedication to lifelong learning and service underscores the transformative potential of scholarship programs like the Australia Awards.

Martha’s story serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of educational empowerment and the ripple effect it creates, transcending borders and inspiring generations to come.