Members of staff from the Higher Education Students' Loans and Grants Board recently underwent an orientation training session on the Access to Information (ATI) Act.

The objective of the training was to familiarize staff members with the ATI Act, focusing on the responsibilities of information holders in disclosing public information to promote transparency and accountability in public institutions.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Honorable Susan Dossi, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Media, Information, and Communication, commended the Board for taking proactive steps to comply with the Act through staff training.

She added that as a way forward, the Board needs to develop an information manual to guide the implementation of the Act. 

In his address, Executive Director, Prince Phwetekere emphasized the importance of the Board adhering to ATI provisions, highlighting the institution's obligation to uphold transparency, accountability, and openness.

The orientation covered various topics, including an overview of the ATI regulations, best practices in information management, and the use of monitoring tools for compliance.

Representatives from the Malawi Human Rights Commission who facilitated the training emphasized the significance of complying with the Act by digitizing information records and providing annual reports and work plans to the Ministry of Information.