UNIMA PAS SOCIETY ENGAGES US CHARGE DAFFAIRES MRS DIAZ A DIALOGUE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

The Political and Administration Students (PAS) Society, which comprises of students enrolled in the Bachelor of Political Science and Public Administration programme within the School of Law, Economics, and Government at the University of Malawi, recently had the pleasure of hosting Mrs. Amy W. Diaz, the US Embassy Charge d’Affaires. Mrs. Diaz engaged with the students on matters concerning the relationship between Malawi and the United States, as well as broader international relations.

The discussions took place at the T&D Conference Center, with notable attendees including Professor Happy Kayuni, the Executive Dean of the School of Law, Economics, and Government; Dr. Michael Chasukwa, Head of the Political Science Department; and Ms. Talandira Maulidi, the Vice President of the PAS Society.

During her visit, Mrs. Diaz also toured the UNIMA campus, appreciating the facilities and the conducive learning environment it offers.

Following the interactions, Professor Kayuni expressed gratitude for the visit, highlighting its significance in supplementing the students' classroom knowledge with insights from someone with extensive experience in international relations. He emphasized the benefits of the Malawi-US relationship, particularly noting the opportunities afforded to Malawi as a beneficiary under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). This act, approved by the US Congress in May 2000, aims to bolster the economies of Sub-Saharan Africa and enhance economic ties between the US and the region.

Echoing Professor Kayuni's sentiments, Ms. Maulidi remarked, “We learn a lot about Malawi’s relationships with other countries, but this interaction provided us with perspectives from individuals with hands-on experience in the field, enriching our knowledge.”

The visit proved fruitful, with a large number of students actively engaging with Mrs. Diaz, asking important questions and applying their knowledge to the discussions. It was evident that the students were well-versed in current affairs, as they were able to adeptly discuss major international issues related to elections and diplomatic relations.