06 March, 2019

REVEREND DR. BILLY GAMA EMBARKS ON A FAMILIARISATION TOUR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MALWI

Reverend Dr. Billy Gama on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 toured The Polytechnic, one of the four constituent colleges of the University of Malawi in a bid to familiarize himself with the University’s infrastructure after being appointed as Chairman for Council of University of Malawi late last year by the President of the Republic of Malawi and Chancellor of University of Malawi, His Excellency, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika.

The Chairman (in navy blue suit) and the touring team pose for a photo before the tour

The Chairman was welcomed at the College by the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) of the University, prominent among them were the Vice-Chancellor of University of Malawi Professor John D. Klaenga Saka, University Registrar, Dr. Benedicto Okomaatani Malunga and the host, and Principal of The Polytechnic Professor Grant Kululanga and the Vice Principal Dr Nancy Chitera.

In his opening remarks, the Principal gave a brief background about the College outlining its mission and vision.

Professor Kululanga later took his time to inform the Chairperson and delegates about the infrastructural developments which are currently being constructed under the Skills Development Project (SDP), the Public Private Partnership (PPP), Higher Education Science and Technology (HEST), Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP) and the Computer Numerical Control Project (CNCP).

Touring of the HEST Project Building

The tour of the College, which was punctuated by consistent downpour, comprised the UNIMA Council Chairman himself, the Vice Chancellor, the University Registrar, the Principal, the Vice Principal, Deans of Faculties, Lecturers and members of the College’s management and staff.

Speaking to the media after the tour, Reverend Dr. Billy Gama said UNIMA council decided to embark on the tour of the College to appreciate the progress made on the projects before the Chancellor of the University goes to officially open the new and state-of-the art infrastructures.

“The President himself, an accomplished academician, who was the Minister of Education, Science and Technology highlighted the importance of higher education where he emphasizes on the need to have appropriate infrastructures,” the Chairman said.

The Chairman further said that he was impressed with the progress of the infrastructure development which augurs well with the plan to have The Polytechnic delinked from

Dean with some equipment under HEST  1

University of Malawi as recommend by the 2018 Special Taskforce on Delinking UNIMA’s report.

He said the new University will be called Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS).

He also noted that the new University will be one of the best public universities in the country where research will be synonymous with the top priority activities of the University.

“All these things are happening because we have the President who is the Chancellor, knowledgeable on the issues of higher education, that is why he has made it possible for the Polytechnic to have funding,” Gama added.

On his part Professor Kululanga explained that the ICT and ODeL buildings will help in increasing enrolment of open and distance learning students, adding that it will also play a significant role in the commercialization and partnership with the industry.

The Chairman enjoying the briefing

In his closing remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Kalenga Saka, commended the UNIMA council Chairman for his presence.

He also thanked the Polytechnic management team for the support in the projects taking place.

The State President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika is expected to officially open the new infrastructures in April,2019.