Chakwera wants quality in Unima splinter universities

President Lazarus Chakwera yesterday confirmed the delinking of the University of Malawi (Unima), but said more work and sacrifice is needed in each of the autonomous  institutions to achieve high standards.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of 1 852 students at Chancellor College’s Great Hall in Zomba yesterday, Chakwera said it is one thing to desire being an independent university and another to be a university whose degrees are worth it.

Said Chakwera: “Although it has been the subject of debate lately; I am happy to hear that it [the de-linking] has finally been scheduled to commence next Tuesday.

“But we should not get carried away by the euphoria this causes because making the three new universities operate at the highest standards of education will take sacrifice from all stakeholders.”

Ministry of Education acting Principal Secretary Raphael Agabu early this month announced that the new colleges will start their operations on May 4 2021.

The delinking of Unima’s  constituent colleges will see Chancellor College become University of Malawi, The Polytechnic will be known as Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (Mubas) and Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (Kuhes)—a merger of College of Medicine (CoM) and Kamuzu College of Nursing (KCN).

Chakwera yesterday described the Unima delinking as important, further adding that it will be up to the newly-created universities to work on setting their own high standards that will benefit both students and the universities themselves.

The President said in the new normal of pandemic times, there is need to prepare for a post-Covid world of greater innovation, which requires investment in things that affects standards of education as well as methods of education that increase access to education for people.

While congratulating the graduating students, Chakwera urged them to reflect on the standards of education they have received and sacrifices made.

“When every graduand has a sense of purpose in honing their cognitive, effective psychomotor skills, their capacity to unlock the doors of opportunity for themselves and their nation is unleashed. And we have so many examples to draw inspiration from,” he said.

Chakwera encouraged the graduands to think of what they can do to give back to the institution so that standards continue to rise and that they should represent such standards in their quest for making the country a better place.

In his speech, Unima acting vice-chancellor Professor Al Mtenje said despite the Covid-19 pandemic negatively affecting the operations, it has offered an opportunity to explore other methods in use of information and communications technology (ICT).

On his part, Unima Council chairperson Professor Jack Wirima said that the Unima delinking is in motion, there is need for diligence in the implementation.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has since gazetted the Unima delinking and a transition unit has started conducting meetings with numerous stakeholders.

The Tonse Alliance administration endorsed the delinking of Unima. The decision came after a series of discussions Vice-President SaulosChilima had with stakeholders.

Government said delinking Unima is a progressive process in increasing access to higher education.