President Lazarus Chakwera has implored graduates to be leading by example in national development efforts.
He said this at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (Kuhes) Tuesday, when he was installed as the institution’s first chancellor.
At the event, 103 students graduated from various programmes.
In his speech, Chakwera urged graduands to be using knowledge acquired properly, saying this was key to the attainment of the country’s development goals.
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“I have no doubt that those of you who have benefitted from the contributions I have made to your journey as a student by raising money for the neediest students through The Presidential Golf Initiative will go on to do great things with the opportunity you now have to go into the world and give back through service.
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“But just because I have no doubt about these things doesn’t mean that it is a guarantee that they will happen. So as much as we celebrate the hard work and determination that has helped you reach this milestone today, I want to remind you that it will take the same hard work and determination to reach your full potential in the journey that lies ahead,” Chakwera said.
He then challenged graduands to go beyond employment and aim for impact.
The President said it was a challenge to go beyond personal integrity and aim for victory against corruption across all sectors.
“It is a challenge to go beyond being a healthcare professional and aim for being [a] healthcare patriot. It is a challenge to go beyond showing up for work and aim for showing up to serve.
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“Because one thing I know for sure from the way you have been trained by the dedicated faculty and staff of this university is that your country needs you, so do not only aim to be good at what you do, for I believe you have it in you to be great,” Chakwera said.
On his part, Kuhes Vice Chancellor Professor MacPherson Mallewa said Chakwera’s presence at the event signified not only his commitment to education but also unwavering support for the development of the youth.
“We are honoured to have you as our chancellor, and we look forward to your leadership and guidance as we strive to fulfil our mission of enriching lives through health sciences education, research, innovation and service,” he said.
Mallewa said since its establishment on May 4 2021, as a result of a merger of the College of Medicine and Kamuzu College of Nursing, Kuhes had made significant strides in becoming a powerful institution focused on advancing health and allied sciences education, innovation and research in Malawi and beyond.
He then thanked the government for providing an enabling environment as they transform Kuhes into a world-class university.
Mallewa also disclosed that with K4.7 billion from the World Bank, they were going to work with the Ministry of Health in dealing with fake medicines.
“K3.7 billion will go towards the increased surveillance and detection of fake medicines.
“Furthermore, we will provide free refresher training to all staff in private companies that produce medicines in Malawi so that only quality medicines produced in Malawi reach the patient. K1 billion is for Kuhes to conduct the preliminary work to start the manufacture of quality medicines,” he said.
Mallewa also said they had received support from the Scottish government, who awarded Kuhes the Scottish Strategic Partnership grant (500, 000 Pounds per year) for five years.
“This strategic partnership grant is aligning well with our plans to advance health education, research and capacity-building efforts in Malawi. The strategic partnership, through its work packages, supports Kuhes Dental School, the state-of-the-art BT-BT laboratory, development of governance systems and tools and establishment of the monitoring and evaluation unit at Kuhes,” he said.
He then urged the 103 graduands to give back to the community.
Meanwhile, the Chendawaka family, through Member of Parliament for Kasungu Central Ken Kandodo, has presented a flywhisk of the first president Ngwazi Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda to Kuhes.
It will be used during major occasions.
