GRADUATION LEADS TO BUSINESS BOOM IN ZOMBA

The city of Zomba always feels the impact when there is a graduation ceremony. On this day, all roads lead to the Great Hall at the university, where there is always a colourful gathering of joyous graduands, as well as proud parents and staff. This is most certainly true of 5th April, 2023, when the University of Malawi held its graduation ceremony. Graduates from the University of Malawi as well as its sister universities, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHES) and Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), were awarded certificates and degrees of various levels during the ceremony. The event was presided over by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Samson Sajidu. Also in attendance were the Chairman of the University of Malawi Council, Dr. George Partridge, and the Minister of Education, Honourable Madalitso Kambauwa-Wirima, as well as visitors from the United Kingdom’s Bath Spa University.

The graduation ceremony was held in two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Over 2400 students from the three institutions – UNIMA, MUBAS and KUHES – received awards in their various programmes. This led to an upsurge in business within the city, as cameramen, vendors of food, flowers and other items flocked to the UNIMA campus.

During the ceremony, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Samsom Sajidu, expressed his appreciation to all the parents who were present and congratulated the graduating students. In his remarks, he praised all the graduands for their hard work and dedication that has led to their success. As a means of promoting and offering quality education, the Vice Chancellor also mentioned some of the developments that are planned for the University of Malawi.

“Our vision is to reach 15,000 students by 2026,” he said. The Vice Chancellor continued by explaining that, considering the extended intake of students, UNIMA is planning to build more hostels to accommodate the increasing number of students. The institution has also already secured funding for construction of classrooms.

The Chairman of the University of Malawi Council, Dr. George Partridge, also acknowledged the success and achievements of the new graduates. He further stated that the Council wishes to introduce online programs and build more infrastructure. As the University that accommodates the highest number of students with special needs, UNIMA plans to establish a special needs resource centre with adequate staff members. Dr. Partridge thanked the government for their relentless financial support to the institution, as well as the support from the Higher Education Students Loans Board, which aids financially disadvantaged students.

Both the Vice Chancellor and Chairman of University of Malawi Council encouraged the new graduates to consider themselves successful and uphold the values of the University of Malawi (UNIMA) wherever they go.