A group of seven students from the University of Malawi (UNIMA) has created an online accommodation application to assist their fellow students in finding off-campus housing.
The application aims to cater to students who are unable to find accommodation on campus.
Project Manager Lucy Sabola, a 21-year-old second-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, said: “After conducting rigorous research, we found that students often encounter strange people known as agents or middlemen who demand a lot of money and promise to find them a place to rent near the school campus.
“Unfortunately, these people do not always keep their promises, and many students have been scammed out of their money.”
The application will allow students to find accommodation without the involvement of middlemen.
Landlords will also be able to post and showcase their hostels and communicate directly with tenants.
When asked about the challenges she is facing, Sabola said: “Making the application more user-friendly is one of the most difficult challenges, but I am optimistic that we will deliver something that is easily accessible and easy to use.”
On a personal level, Sabola expressed her desire to venture further into the digital world of computer science and develop various applications that enable instant communication across vast distances and cater to daily living needs.
She encouraged young and up-and-coming innovators to be mindful of their influence.
Said: “Innovation is where growth, learning and transformation happen. I would like to encourage young and upcoming innovators to be mindful of their influence around them, knowing that they shape people’s aspirations and paths.
“Their brilliance and creativity have the power to shape the future of our country. Their abilities should not be hidden in the shadows of doubt but unleashed in a symphony of brilliance that resonates activities and space.”
Lucy Sabola can be reached at +265997 928 473.
