President Lazarus Chakwera has asked the private sector to be supporting the government in improving education in the country.
Chakwera was speaking Thursday in Mzuzu during Silver Jubilee celebrations for Mzuzu University (Mzuni) and the institution’s 25th congregation.
He challenged universities to play a critical role in striking partnerships that would help train quality graduates, who can contribute to the realisation of Malawi 2063 vision goals.
“Those who govern this university must take the initiative in leveraging on partnerships to take this university into the future. Of particular interest to me is the need for our universities to be more aggressive and innovative in securing partnerships with the private sector. As I see it, this is key to achieving the kind of financial sustainability and academic independence necessary for making our universities developmentally relevant and globally competitive,” he said.
Chakwera added that he understands the complaints raised by students on fees’ upward adjustment, saying the government is doing everything it can to ensure that no student withdraws on financial grounds.
“I know many of you are already complaining about fees and that is understandable, knowing the context in which all of us are operating. But I want you to know that the government is doing all it can in order to make sure that we increase all our available resources to help each one of you so that no one is out of school,” he said.
Chakwera’s assurance comes at a time when, on Tuesday this week, the Ministry of Education turned down university students’ plea for the temporary suspension of the recently announced tuition fees’ hike.
Minister responsible Madalitso Kambauwa- Wirima told the students that there will be no reduction of tuition fees; neither will there be suspension of the same.
In her opening remarks, Ambassador Hawa Ndilowe, who is Mzuni Council Chairperson, said the university has grown in students’ enrolment, programmes and infrastructure.
Ndilowe said the school has 8,649 students from 73 in 1998, adding that the number of facilities has grown from one to six.
She said since its establishment, the university has graduated 13,785 students, adding that the university’s vision is to become a financially stable higher learning institution in Malawi.
And Mzuni’s sixth Vice Chancellor, Professor Wales Singini, said the journey to 25 years has not been easy, pointing out that quality, relevance, innovation and commercialisation are the new focus for the university.
One of the graduands, James Nakhate, who studied biodiversity conservation and management, urged students to be committed to studies.
The graduation continues today, when at least 2,022 students are expected to graduate in various programmes.
