ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INSTRUMENTATION REPAIR AND SUPPORT SERVICES IN MALAWI - A HISTORIC BACKGROUND AND NATIONAL EXPERIENCES

Davlin M. D. Chokazinga
Abstract:
Malawi is one of the developing countries in Africa, as such her economy is donor driven. Being a developing nation, there are a number of scientific institutions such as Universities, National Standards Body, Polytechnics, Medical Institutions, Government Agricultural Research Centres, Water Development, Research Institutes, Environmental Protection and Research Institutes, Industrial Research and Development Centres, Telecommunications Development and many more. These institutions house from simple to most complicated electronic equipment /instruments. Since 1964, when Malawi became independent, there has been a great acquisition of such instruments.
Over the years, instruments inventory surveys showed that Malawi had received a large variety of measuring instruments. However, notable was the fact that there was no local capabilities developed to repair and service such equipment. 1980's most of the institutes had most of their useful instruments broken down. In order to solve the problem first repair and maintenance contracts were concluded with the manufacturers, then Malawi technicians were trained to provide the necessary services. Neither of the methods could operate successfully and the national instrument inventory showed that about 50% of the available instruments in various institutions were nonfunctional, such that most of vital functions could not be undertaken locally. Hence there is need for the establishment of local capability which can provide the needed services on the site.
Keywords:
measurements, repair services
Download:
PWC-2003-TC11-010.pdf
DOI:
-
Event details
Event name:
XVII IMEKO World Congress
Title:

Metrology in the 3rd Millennium

Place:
Dubrovnik, CROATIA
Time:
22 June 2003 - 28 June 2003