VP calls on universities to expand on delivery

 Vice-President Saulos Chilima has asked public universities and colleges to implement income-generating activities and expansion of institutions to promote self-sustenance and increase enrollment.

Speaking yesterday after touring Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar) Bunda Campus’ K15 billion-worth new academic infrastructure and business centre, the Vice- President said it is high time public universities and other colleges invested in infrastructure development and income-generating activities.

He said the country’s tertiary institutions need enough space to absorb every deserving student, adding Luanar is on course to improve student enrollment and generate income.

Said Chilima: “We need to increase the intake. Remember we talked about quota system. How we can end that is to ensure we have got enough space to absorb everyone.

“Most important is the financial sustainability. The pressure on government coffers will continue if people are not innovative or creative.”

He said Luanar has come up with a business centre, including a filling station and a farm, adding other universities or colleges have unique things that they can utilise to generate income.

Chilima also expressed satisfaction with the quality of structures being constructed and the progress being made, saying though delayed, 75 percent of the project work has been done and the structures should be ready by April next year.

On his part, Luanar vice-chancellor George Kanyama Phiri said their vision is to make the institution a world class university.

He said: “We have the administration block and teaching complex constructed with government funds, there is also a teaching complex constructed with funding from Norway. We also have a filling station and multi-purpose hall constructed with funds generated by the university.”