By Mercy Matonga
The National Council for Higher Education (Nche) has announced that 14,175 students have been selected to pursue higher education at various public universities and colleges across the country.
Higher Education Minister Jessie Kabwila made the announcement Thursday during a press conference held in Lilongwe.
Kabwila said a total of 24,582 students qualified, of whom 15,692 were male, with 7,627 selected, while 8,890 female students applied and 5,202 have been admitted to the institutions.
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“Of the 24,582 qualified applicants, 12,819 candidates—7,627 male and 5,202 female—have been selected by the six public universities into their programmes, including City Campus and [open, distance and e-learning] programmes at Luanar,” she said.
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Kabwila added that 12,819 students have been selected to attend six universities while 1,256 students have been admitted to Nalikule and Domasi colleges of education.
The minister further said this year’s results represent 58 percent of the total number of qualified applicants, marking a 27 percent increase from last year’s combined figure of 11,122 candidates announced in the 2023-24 intake.
Additionally, the minister said 95 candidates with special needs have been selected to public universities—35 on merit while 60 were affirmatively selected after meeting the minimum entry requirements of six credits, including English.
Speaking to journalists after the announcement, Kabwila said the government was working hard to make university education accessible to students from community day secondary schools (CDSS).
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“We acknowledge that students in rural areas and CDSSs have slim chances of being accommodated in public universities and there are projects underway to improve rural intake,” Kabwila said.
On his part, Nche Chairperson Eston Sambo said the harmonised system that the council was using for student selection was bearing fruits.
“It has addressed issues such as multiple selections and financial challenges, as students now make a single payment for multiple entrances,” Sambo said.
He added that the council was pleased with the results since the introduction of the harmonised system, as all public universities now release results simultaneously.
