Ephraim Ziwoya

Ephraim Ziwoya is a biomedical engineer from Malawi, currently pursuing an MSc in Water Science, Policy and Management at the University of Oxford. He is a Mastercard Foundation Scholar and a member of Linacre College. Ephraim is interested in the links between water resource management, public health, and climate resilience in low- and middle-income countries.

He graduated with first-class honours in Biomedical Engineering from the Malawi University of Science and Technology, where he also served as President of the Student Representative Council. He is the first president in the university’s history to join the University of Oxford, a milestone he regards as a shared achievement with his peers and community. In addition, he served as Vice President of the Association of Biomedical Engineering in Malawi, contributing to national initiatives that promoted the role of biomedical engineering in healthcare delivery. Professionally, he worked for more than two years as a Biomedical Engineer at Thyolo District Hospital, leading the department responsible for maintaining critical medical equipment. This role highlighted for him the importance of reliable access to safe water in diagnostics, infection control, and patient outcomes, inspiring his transition from biomedical engineering to water science, policy, and management.

After completing his studies, Ephraim hopes to develop sustainable, community-driven solutions that improve access to clean water, reduce the burden of waterborne diseases, and strengthen healthcare systems in resource-limited settings. He aims to use his expertise to ensure that safe water is recognised not as a privilege, but as a basic guarantee for all.