First Lady Dr. Gertrude Mutharika on Friday said the Malawi Assemblies of God Church is one of the most influential institutions in Malawi, which partners with Government in developing this country.
Continue reading First Lady honours Malawi Assemblies of God Church as State’s progressive partner
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)- One of the country’s first private tertiary institutions, Columbia Commonwealth University of Malawi (CCUM), over the weekend graduated 80 students in post graduate qualifications in various programs.
Columbia University, whose affiliates are based in the USA, is the high learning institution; its objectives is to provide educational program designed for intellectual, professional and personal development of its students.
Established in 2002, the University’s educational philosophy is based on the integration of mind, body and spirit that encourages learners to acquire the much-needed skills for the country’s development.
Through its post graduate programs,
MAs and PhDs, this is the University’s 5th congregation, hosted in the capital Lilongwe.
In an interview with The Maravi Post after presiding over the graduation, Lilongwe City Mayor Desmond Bikoko challenged the graduates on job-creation to address high unemployment levels in the country.
Bikoko said qualifications should help graduates to create jobs for themselves and others, without waiting Government to provide employment.
The Mayor therefore lauded the University for the significant contribution it makes to the country’s economy with quality education the institution offers.
“We need to start thinking outside the box; to use our qualifications in creating jobs not always to be employed. Education papers should be step for venturing into business ventures not only for color jobs,” said Bikoko.
In his remarks, Professor Teswafe Ketsela, Columbia university president expressed gratitude over the institution’s strides over education standards promotion.
Professor Ketsela said his institution is responding to many problems surrounding their physical and social environmental towards the country’s economic growth.
“We are proud to be among the first private university to provide high learning education with quality graduates. We will continue helping government’s effort to address unemployment by sending off graduates who will create jobs for themselves and others,” assures Professor Ketsela.
I spoke to one of Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) student Temwa Msyalie said, “BBA in Marketing called on graduates to be focused.”
She also thanked Columbia University management for their dedication, exhibited in their Diem commitment and desire for students at the institution o excel in whichever area they chose to pursue in their academic career
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) councilor for Chigoneka ward Desmond Bikoko has been elected Lilongwe City Council Mayor replacing the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) councilor for Kawale 1 Ward Willie Chipondera.
Councilor Bikoko beat independent councilor for Chimutu ward Akwame Bandawe who was a former deputy mayor.
Bandawe, who got nominated by DPP councilors, was defeated in full view of his party’s gurus including secretary general Francis Mphepo and presidential advisor Hetherwick Ntaba.
The position of deputy major has gone to Juliana Kaduya who beat Christopher Namankhwa with 17 votes against 14, both from the ruling DPP.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected mayor Bikoko assured the general public of non-partisanship in the mayoral leadership.
Bikoko disclosed that his first duty in office is to make sure that the council is audited for the past three financial year warning that those that lost finances through fraud will be tracked down.
He hinted that his mayoral term will not be business as usual as he will be totally committed to rebranding Lilongwe city to match with international standards.
“This is my second time to contest on this post. Last time I lost and I accepted that it wasn’t my time. Honestly, am happy that Lilongwe has chosen “hope over fear” and development over division. We promise to generate enough revenue for the development of the city by reviewing also our by-laws”, assured Bikoko.
MCP director of elections Maxwell Thyolera did not mince words saying that it was an extraordinary moment to have Bikoko as Mayor of Lilongwe, the move which will boost the party’s strength in Lilongwe ahead of 2019 general elections.
But DPP SG Mphepo downplayed the loss arguing that the win for a mayoral post in the capital was not enough to guarantee for winning general elections.
Bikoko holds Masters Degrees in Project Management and Business Management from Colorado Technical University and a PhD in International Business.
Meanwhile, both Blantyre and Mzuzu city councils will conduct their mayoral polls on January 9, 2017.
