PIL fuels the LUANAR dream with K100m

Petroleum Importers Limited on Tuesday got its name grossly embedded in the history of Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar) when it donated a K100 million cheque towards the university’s infrastructure development.

The money is for the construction of a multi-purpose hall at Bunda Campus in Lilongwe.

And the University has since named the hall after the oil importers; arguing the latest donation was the largest they have obtained in recent times towards the project.

Luanar council chairperson Professor James Seyani confirmed the development in a separate interview.

“Luanar accepts this donation with deep sense of gratitude. This to us is a clear demonstration of the possible working relationship between public and private institutions. It will go a long way to assisting us achieve what we aspire to be and that is a world class university.” Seyani said.

Speaking during the cheque presentation ceremony at the campus, PIL board chairperson Zubeir Bhana expressed the company’s delight in being given a chance to contribute towards education at the institution.

“As a corporate entity, we feel humbly honoured to be accorded this rare chance of rubbing shoulders with this institute of higher learning today,” he said.

“To be particular, here at Luanar, students learn in a makeshift facility which is not very conducive to education. We have been moved with this and felt duty bound to assist with some of our savings over time; hence our donation towards the multipurpose hall project as one way of our nationwide drive to put a smile on the students and youth of this country.”

Education experts argue that universities that are able to provide modern and exceptional buildings enable and support an enriching student experience.

Minister of Education, Science and Technology Emmanuael Fabiano, himself an academician, explained:  “The quality of the infrastructure at a higher learning institution like this one [Lunanar multipurpose hall] is hugely important in providing suitable settings for students to study and advance in their chosen specialisms.

Among others, the hall at Bunda which is being constructed solely from funds from wellwishers will provide space suitable for a wide range of activities such as various exhibitions, poster sessions, and reception parties apart from the much needed teaching and learning space.

Education is said to be one of the flagship sectors the company opted to support in the country. The move has seen various Community Day Secondary Schools (CDSS) also getting learning needs from the company throughout the year.