LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Vice-Chancellor of Unicaf University in Malawi, Professor Joseph Kuthemba Mwale says online teaching is the solution to what he describes as “apparent teaching gaps” emanating from lack of space and student accommodation in many public and private universities and colleges across the country.
However, Professor Mwale said Unicaf, an innovative pan-African university, has already established itself in online teaching and has the capacity to offer affordable quality education to thousands of Malawians even amidst Covid-19 spike.
He was addressing journalists after touring Unicaf University’s facilities at its campus in the Capital Lilongwe on Wednesday, June 10, 2020.
“Learning institutions in the country are affected by challenges of inadequate infrastructure, space and student accommodation–things that make many people fail to attend school or further their education.
“Online teaching is the way to go because thousands of learners are able to be accommodated in one lesson or program. All we need is the relevant technology to facilitate online teaching–computers, internet and power,” said Professor Mwale.
Deputy Vice Chancellor of Unicaf, Dr Robert Ridley, concurred with Professor Mwale, adding that the university has indeed established itself in Malawi as a revered online learning centre with adequate facilities befitting an institution of higher learning.
According to Ridley, 1000 Malawians and 2000 international students are currently learning at the university which has so far 24 programs of study–11 having been accredited by the National Council for Higher Education.
“We have a state of the art platform. As long as a student has a computer or tablet with internet and has access to our system and stay online, they are able to access all teaching and learning materials and all the information they need.
“We have just been able to graduate 350 masters degree students even though there is Covid 19. Students got their degrees because they continued learning online and we were able to hold an online graduation,” said Dr Ridley.
