KUHeS student Shines at MedAfrica Conference

Rudo Masendeke, a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) student at the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), has earned the prestigious accolade for Best Poster Presentation at the recently concluded MedAfrica Advancing Medical Education in Africa Conference in Rwanda.

Masendeke’s award-winning presentation focused on the topic “Understanding Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Sexual Consent Among University Students in Malawi.”

Through her research, she emphasized the pressing need for clearer definitions of sexual consent and the importance of comprehensive education on how to seek and give consent effectively.

“Given the serious consequences for all parties involved, it is imperative to foster safe, respectful, and equitable learning environments in Malawi’s universities. Strengthening policies and raising awareness are essential in combating coercion and creating a culture of accountability and consent,” reads part of her presentation.

Following the conference, Professor Wakisa Mulwafu, Executive Dean of the School of Medicine and Oral Health, commended Masendeke for her exceptional work.

He noted that such conferences provide invaluable platforms for learning and showcasing the contributions that KUHeS and Malawi can make to the medical field.

“We are happy to have participated in this conference. These are spaces were we learn ours is a profession that is evolving and learning never stops. Particularly proud of our student for winning Best Poster Presentation. This has made KUHeS proud but largely Malawi as a whole,” he said.

The MedAfrica conference also addressed global challenges in medical education, covering topics such as Medical Education Innovations in Times of Crises and Disasters, the Role of the African Diaspora in Shaping the Future of Medical Education, the Integration of AI in Medical Education, and the importance of aligning medical education with government policies and funding to develop a sustainable healthcare workforce across Africa.