APM to meet varsity students over fees hike
President Peter Mutharika is this Thursday scheduled to meet University of Malawi Student Union (Umsu) leaders over the University of Malawi Council’s decision to hike financial contribution for the university.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, presidential spokesperson Mgeme Kalilani said the president who is also the Chancellor of the University of Malawi will meet the union leaders after they requested to have an audience with him over the fees hike.
“The President has accepted to meet the student union leaders and it has since pleased him to grant them audience on 4th August 2016,” the statement reads in part.
According to the statement the meeting will take place at Kamuzu
Palace and will commence at 10 o’clock in the morning.
Umsu representatives on Monday delivered their letter at the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) in Lilongwe requesting an audience with the president.
According to Umsu president Tionge Sikwese the delivery of the letter to OPC follows a meeting held by Umsu representatives and other public universities at Kamuzu College of Nursing (KCN) campus in Lilongwe on July 30.
Commenting on the matter, Sikwese welcomed the development expressing hope that the meeting will provide a lasting solution to differences that have erupted between Unima Council and the students.
“We have received the communication and we are very happy that the president has finally decided to intervene in the matter. We are hopeful that he will help come up with a lasting solution that will benefit both sides,” said Sikwese.
Several quarters have been criticizing the president for not intervening in the matter which they described as very important and of national interest.
Students at three of four Unima constituent colleges –the Malawi Polytechnic, Chancellor College and Kamuzu College of Nursing (KCN) have in the past week protested the increase in their financial contribution leading the Unima council into closing Chancellor College following a fracas that ensued during protests.
I’m hoping you take the discussions seriously. Accept nothing but a freeze on fee hikes. The only way Malawi society can transform from a hyena society to a 21st century civilisation is if more of it’s youths acquire tertiary education. Unfortunately APM and DPP can’t care less about that.
Please accept no handouts. Say no to those khaki envelopes, because accepting that will mean all that you have been working for, futile.
Guys show him that you are academicians as he is. After all, one of you is the President of young Malawians composed of 60% of the country population. Speak boldly and don’t behave like PAC members.