Mzuni receives K35m books, computers
The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) has donated books and computers worth K34.5 million to Mzuzu University (Mzuni) to help restock its library.
Mzuni lost 45 000 books and computers valued at K3 billion in a fire that razed down the university’s library last December.
Speaking during the handover on Tuesday, Malawi National Commission for Unesco executive secretary Francis Mkandawire said the assistance followed a request by Mzuni.
“Unesco believes that a library is a gateway to knowledge which provides a basic condition for lifelong learning, independent decision-making and cultural development of the individual and groups. It is a living force for education, culture and information.
“It is in view of the foregoing, among many other reasons, that Unesco has provided this assistance to Mzuzu University,” said Mkandawire.
Mzuni vice-chancellor Robert Ridley said the support they have received so far has gone towards the stocking of an interim library.
He said the institution still has challenges to raise enough funds for the new library which they plan to construct by 2019.
Said Ridley: “I would just like to particularly thank Unesco for the way they responded to us. They responded within days of the tragedy and they requested a list of books that we wanted, and purposefully bought those books.” n
