President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has underscored the need for African countries and Malawi in particular to prioritize higher education in order to make Africa a better place to live.
Professor Mutharika said this at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre on Sunday during his inauguration as Champion for Higher Education in Africa by Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (Ruforum).
Mutharika said higher education is key for any Africa member prosperity adding there is need for collective effort in order to build the status of higher education in Africa.
I have accepted to be Champion of Higher Education in Africa for the benefit of Africa and Malawi as a country in particular.
“I should admit here that access to higher education remains a challenge in Malawi and other countries and I will make sure that access to higher education should be available to all.
“As a champion for higher education in Africa, I will make sure that schools are offering science education for the growth of their countries economy,” said President Mutharika.
For example, Mutharika said China has developed because the country has made systematic investments in sciences that have lifted the country’s economic status.
The Malawi leader said in his capacity as champion of higher education in Africa he will address matters of gender disparities and ensure that there are enough resources in the education sector.
Said Mutharika; “There is need to encourage science subjects in both public and private universities. We need strong investment in science and technology.
While congratulating President Mutharika for being crowned champion for higher education in Africa, Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Patricia Kaliati said the appointment demonstrates that Malawi has an experienced leader who deserves to be recognized internationally.
“President Mutharika all along has commitment to uplift higher education as witnessed by opening of the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) and introduction of vocational training colleges countrywide.
“With this new role, African countries can be assured that the challenges that have been faced by education sector will have solutions. These include, early marriages, school drop-outs and shortage of resources in schools,” said Kaliati.
Thoko Banda who is Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education Science and Technology responsible for basic and secondary education said president Mutharika has made Malawi shine on the African continent.
>Banda said Malawi and the whole of Africa has a challenge of failing to meet the demand for higher education adding it is high time authorities re-examined roles of universities in Africa.
Executive Secretary for Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (Ruforum) Professor Adipala Ekwamu said the appointment of Mutharika demonstrates the confidence international community has on the Malawi president.
Ekwamu said with the appointment, Mutharika is now key driver for driving education in Africa and that his education background speaks volumes that he can deliver beyond any expectation.
During the function, Mutharika launched Diploma, Degree, and Masters of Science (Msc) in Gender to be offered by the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR).
