Graduates urged to be innovative
The University of Malawi (Unima) Vice-Chancellor Professor John Kalenga Saka has called on fresh graduates to be proactive and use acquired knowledge as they wait to be employed.
He said this on Wednesday at Great Hall in Zomba when he presided over the graduation of 587 Unima students.
Saka said it is imperative that after acquiring numerous skills, the graduates should use them to go into enterprise development.
“We go through various levels of education to acquire knowledge and skills and, at this level where we have churned out individuals with basic degrees, higher level degrees, master’s and PhDs, then it means that skills mix is of the higher level.
“Therefore, it is important for our colleagues who have graduated to make good use of that skills mix,” he said.
Saka further said among other reforms taking place at Unima, they are striving to increase access to higher education; hence, prioritising open and distance e-learning (ODL) which will help people access higher education easily.
In his remarks, Unima Council chairperson Dr James Maida said he believes that the council, management and staff can collectively commit themselves to ensuring that Unima is transformed to a 21st century standard.
“I am not so naïve as to believe that a transformation of this university can be achieved under an environment of mutual mistrust and disrespect, both of which lead to one or two of the colleges closing.
“Such closures cause disruptions of academic programmes, irregular and unpredictable academic calendars and so bringing the whole institution into disrepute, causing parents and guardians, be they local or external to be hesitant to have their wards enrolled at this university,” he said.
