UNIMA Graduation: Celebrating new beginnings

As they complete their sojourn at university, students are expected to be awarded various certificates upon completion. These awards are accompanied by a celebration during which men and women are joined by friends and family who come to witness the milestone in their education journey. As part of this annual tradition, the University of Malawi held its first congregation ceremony for 2024 on the 13th and 14th of March in the Great Hall.

The certificates were awarded to 2313 men and women who were enrolled in UNIMA as a federal university. Accordingly, among the graduands were those from three public universities: The University of Malawi (UNIMA), the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), and the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHES).

The graduation ceremony was presided over by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Malawi, Professor Samson Sajidu. Several notable university leaders and senior government officials were also in attendance. During the ceremony, Prof. Samson Sajidu congratulated all the graduands for their hard work during their time at the universities and further stated that their achievements are a testament to their strength and determination. He further urged the graduates to embrace uncertainties and dream big.

“You are the future leaders, innovators, and changemakers of tomorrow, and the world needs your unique talents and perspectives now more than ever,” he said. “Whether you choose to pursue further education, enter the workforce, or embark on a different path altogether, always strive to make a positive impact on the world around you.”

Director of Higher Education, Dr. Levis Eneya, expressed delight during the ceremony, noting that the Ministry of Education consistently appreciates the significant number of graduates produced by universities. He emphasized that this is essential for capacity building and human capital development, which are key to implementing government projects.

Graduands in the Great Hall were brimming with excitement as they received their certificates. One of the graduates from the University of Malawi, Miss Wongani Msumba, who was enrolled in the Bachelor of Education in Computer Science programme expressed her gratitude to the University for the skills she had acquired during her studies.

“Apart from academic skills like digital literacy and coding, I gained a multitude of other skills throughout my journey. Living in such a diverse environment allowed me to perceive situations from various perspectives,” Msumba said. “Some of the skills I acquired include critical thinking, time management, creativity and innovation, cultural competence, and social and emotional skills. I also had the opportunity to enhance existing skills like public speaking and writing.”

She further encouraged students currently enrolled in various programmes to value social capital, emphasizing its importance in the industry. She advised them to join various campus societies and actively participate in competitions.