Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Jarson Malowa
Published on 2024-03-14 06:26:37
The University of Malawi (Unima) Vice Chancellor, Professor Samson Sajidu, recently expressed the university’s need for more lecturers to accommodate the growing number of students. Speaking at the first congregation ceremony for the year 2024, where 2,313 students graduated from the university at three sessions held from Wednesday to Thursday, Sajidu emphasized the importance of increasing the ratio of tutors to students. Currently, the ratio stands at 1:33 while the recommended ratio is 1:17. Sajidu urged the government to consider their request for more lecturers to strengthen the university faculty.
In addition to the shortage of lecturers, Sajidu also highlighted the lack of teaching space as a challenge the university is facing. The Chairperson for Unima Council, George Partridge, addressed the graduands during the ceremony, emphasizing the importance of integrity and how their behavior in the outside world should reflect the core values of Unima.
Director of Higher Education in the Ministry of Education, Levis Eneya, commended the government for graduating a significant number of students, stating that it is a noteworthy achievement. Eneya highlighted the importance of educating the citizenry and the role of the government in contributing to this mission. The students who graduated completed different programs from institutions including Unima, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, and Kamuzu University of Health Sciences. This was due to the students being enrolled in the university before the delinking of Unima constituent colleges.
During the ceremony, 749 Unima students received certificates, diplomas, and degrees on Wednesday morning, with additional sessions continuing in the afternoon on Wednesday and Thursday morning. Out of the total number of graduands, 44 percent were female, and 55.9 percent were male. One of the notable graduands, Mapopa Ndengu, who graduated with a degree in quantity surveying from MUBAS with distinction, recognized the Kwithu Women’s Group for sponsoring his education. The organization, founded in 2004 and operating in Luwinga (Mzuzu City), provides educational support to over 350 beneficiaries.
Overall, the graduation ceremony highlighted the achievements of the students and the challenges faced by the university in terms of faculty and teaching spaces. The government’s support and the contributions of organizations like the Kwithu Women’s Group play a vital role in ensuring that students have the opportunity to receive quality education and contribute positively to society. The call for more lecturers at Unima underscores the importance of investing in higher education to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in various fields.
Read the original article on The Times
