Minister dares universities to generate foreign exchange

Minister of Education, Science and Technology Bright Msaka has challenged universities in the country to support government’s efforts in mobilising forex through their services such as teaching.

Speaking during the signing ceremony of public sector reform commitments with academic institutions in Blantyre yesterday, the minister wondered why the country’s universities don’t contribute to the country’s forex generation by enrolling more international students who would pay their fees in dollars.

He noted that in other countries, including neighbouring Zambia, universities are among the sources of forex.

Msaka: Let’s improve our

services. | Jonathan Pasungwi

Said Msaka: “In Malawi we have a lot of students doing their studies in Zambia and they pay in dollars. We can also do the same, let’s improve our services and make our universities attractive to even foreign students.

“We want to see students even from Europe to come and study in Malawi and in so doing they will bring forex.”

He urged the academic institutions to fully own and implement their reform commitments, saying Malawi is known as a nation of visions, but fails to implement.

“Let’s work together and ensure that these commitments are implemented within the stipulated period. We should not wait for institutions to fail and start doing something. We need to develop early warning systems” said Msaka.

Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (Mubas) Vice-Chancellor (VC) Associate Professor Nancy Chitera said her institution has made tremendous progress as far as expanding Mubas resource mobilisation is concerned.

She said Mubas operationalised its agricultural mechanisation unit which focuses on tractors assembly and spares parts production.

Unima VC Professor Samson Sajidu highlighted three reforms commitments, namely establishment of strategic partnerships and diversification of finance mobilisation streams; expansion and rehabilitation of infrastructure; and utilisation of Open, Distance and e-Learning (ODeL).

He said the university wants to move from a model where partnerships are largely project-specific to where they deliberately develop long-term strategic relationships.

On his part, Malawi University of Science and Technology VC Associate Professor Mwapasa Mipando also highlighted three reform areas of process efficiency through digital transformation; stronger governance through oversight and compliance as well as corporate sustenance through revenue diversification.

Kamuzu University of Health Sciences VC Professor MacPherson Mallewa said his institution’s reform area centres on research and innovation, revenue generation as well as teaching and learning.

Besides the four public universities, Malawi National Examination Board (Maneb) and Malawi Institute of Education (MIE) also signed their commitment areas. Maneb executive director Dorothy Nampota said her institution focuses on modernisation of exam infrastructure and security systems.

MIE acting executive director Jennings Kayira said the institution is focusing on curriculum review and moves from outcome based to competence based curriculum

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