Deputy Minister of Education Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima says Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar) can contribute greatly to the country’s economic growth.
Speaking on Thursday at a symposium held at Luanar’s Natural Resources College (NRC) Campus in Lilongwe where she was guest of honour, she described the university as a fountain of “abundant innovative talent”, adding she was impressed with the presentation made by 33 students who have completed their diploma programmes.
The deputy minister said she and other guests were impressed by the students’ presentations, urging them to implement what they displayed.
Said Wirima: “From what I have seen, we have enough talent in this country to transform the agriculture industry and create jobs. What we need is to produce students who are theoretically grounded yet practical and innovative.
“Of course, some of you will be employed but what you have shown today is that you are capable of creating your own companies and employing others. I encourage you to go for that challenge. Quality education can be ascertained by what graduates display and that is what we have seen.”
On his part, NRC principal Moses Chinyama said they are proud to send out students who are fully trained at diploma Level to go into the field and make a difference.
“This college has always produced good students who have gone on to become assets in economic development. This crop is equally trained and capable of contributing towards the country’s development.
“The students are also aware of employment challenges and they are ready to go out there and create their own businesses,” he said.
Chinyama said the 33 graduating students studied various programmes such as agriculture education, food nutrition and livelihoods, irrigation technology, agro-food prosessing, horticuture, environmental management, animal health and production.
One of the students, Emily Unkhankhu Mvula said they were well-trained and have the capacity to deliver based on their training.
“Apart our respective programmes we also learned basic entrepreneurship skills, so we are ready to operate successful businesses through locally available resources and create opportunities for others through the establishment of cooperatives, “ she said.
