Unima desires to be institution of choice
University of Malawi (Unima) Vice Chancellor, Professor John Saka, says regular reviews, prioritisation and value addition to Unima’s Strategic Plan can help the institution to become a key player in research, innovation and human capital development at local and international level.
Speaking on Monday during the opening of Unima’s Strategic Plan mid-term review and planning workshop in Mangochi, Saka said the meeting enhanced team building, networking and sharing experiences and best practices amongst the University leaders.
“If we continue to work together and regularly review, add value and prioritise, the University will be a leader, first choice institution and also a key player in research, innovations and human capital development at local and international levels,” he said.
Saka also challenged the Unima community to consolidate and add value to the University’s vision through proactive implementation of key and priority objectives in the Strategic Plan.
Among others, the plan calls for the introduction of new and relevant under and postgraduate programmes, leading to increased enrolment, greater and well government supported new fees structure, and hence additional funding for the University as well as proactive engagement with the private sector.
Professor Jack Wirima, the Unima Council Chairperson, challenged participants to think about how they can we promote and sustain the Unima brand amidst the competition and how to harness the training of at least 75 percent human capital to PhD levels.
During the Golden Jubilee celebrations on October 10 2015, President Peter Mutharika, who is also Chancellor of Unima challenged the University to redefine and rebrand in order to be relevant to the future.
Wirima said Mutharika’s remarks have given them an opportunity to debate Unima’s future.
“We have received the opportunity to debate the future of UNIMA. Colleagues, this is a huge task, but I believe we have more than enough collective brain power to handle this assignment,” he said.
The implementation of Unima Strategic Plan (2012-2017) began in July, 2012 but was launched in September 2013.
