Mozambican Leader Filipe Nyusi Honored with Doctorate by University of Malawi

All eyes were on the Great Hall at the University of Malawi on the morning of the 28th of August, 2024, as the institution conferred the PhD in International Relations and Diplomacy (Honoris Causa) on His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Mozambique, Filipe Jacinto Nyusi. As a departure from the usual trend of UNIMA congregations, the Mozambican Head of State was the sole recipient of a degree on that day. Nevertheless, the Great Hall was packed with various individuals who came to witness this momentous occasion.

The event was presided over by the Chancellor of the University of Malawi, His Excellency Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, who noted that Malawi and Mozambique were always ready to assist each other in times of celebration and times of tragedy. He cited climate change, security, trade, and cultural exchanges as some of the areas where the two nations collaborate. He also noted that the University of Malawi had not awarded many honorary degrees to individuals in its years of existence. “This is a testament to the University’s respect for standards in only awarding those who have truly distinguished themselves by their achievements,” he observed.

Taking his turn to speak, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Malawi, Prof. Samson Sajidu, expressed pride in his institution’s awarding of the honorary degree to “an individual who embodies the very essence of academic excellence, diplomacy and global citizenship, a paragon of virtue, a luminary whose tireless efforts have illuminated the path of progress, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation and mutual understanding”. He highlighted how the University of Malawi had already started making connections with various universities in Mozambique. He cited memoranda of understanding that UNIMA has with universities such as the Púnguè University, University of Rovuma, and Joaquim Chissano University. He noted that there are already some students from these universities studying at UNIMA. Taking a moment to speak in fluent Portuguese, the Vice Chancellor conveyed his wish to continue collaborations with more Mozambican universities.

In an acceptance speech delivered in Portuguese but rich with Chichewa proverbs, His Excellency President Dr Filipe Jacinto Nyusi expressed his thanks and appreciated the close relations between the two nations. “Malawians are not just our friends,” he said. “They are our brothers and sisters.” He also observed that the awarding of the honorary degree confirmed that UNIMA shows interest in international relations. He looked forward to a continuation of such relations between the two nations.

The conferment of the honorary doctorate on the Mozambican president coincidentally comes a few days after the Malawian President, His Excellency Dr Lazarus Chakwera, was also honored with an honorary Doctorate Degree in International Cooperation and Development by the Joaquim Chissano University.