The University of Malawi (Unima) on Wednesday conferred an honorary doctorate degree of Philosophy in Environmental Management on the First Lady, Madame Gertrude Mutharika.
She received the honour alongside the Reverend Killion Mgawi and late Alliance for Democracy leader Chakufwa Chihana’s wife, Christina, who were awarded a doctorate of Philosophy in Theology and a doctorate of Philosophy in Nursing respectively.
Speaking to journalists after the ceremony held at the Great Hall at Chancellor College in Zomba, the First Lady, now Madame Doctor Mutharika, described the honour as a huge motivation and encouragement for her in her work to mobilise more Malawians to take good care of the environment.
“I am very excited, I am very happy. I am encouraged to work more and encourage more Malawians so that through Beam [Beautify Malawi Trust] we join hands to properly manage our waste, plant more trees and even flowers to make Malawi a better place for all of us and more beautiful than it is at the moment,” she said.
According to Unima, the move follows Mutharika’s commitment to restore and properly manage the environment through Beam Trust.
Mutharika founded Beam over a year ago with the aim of mobilising Malawians to practise responsible, participatory and improved management of waste and the environment to improve health and quality of life of the people of Malawi.
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