‘Mzuni has great potential’
After a few months of wrangling, Mzuzu University has finally hired a Vice-Chancellor to replace the late Professor Landson Mhango. Dr Robert Ridley tells our reporter Edwin Nyirongo about his appointment.
Q:
What was your reaction when you were appointed Mzuni Vice-Chancellor?
A:
I was very pleased and felt privilleged to have been appointed. I had applied for the job because I felt that Mzuzu University has great potential to develop. I also believe that if Malawi is to develop effectively, it needs a strong higher education system and I very much look forward to contributing to that through my position at Mzuzu University.
Q: What was your first impression about the university?
A:
The first impression comes from the staff and students at Mzuzu University. They are very welcoming and also very committed despite the problems they have encountered since Professor Landson Mhango passed away. Mzuzu University has a solid foundation with hard working staff and students. Of course, there are many issues facing Mzuzu University that relate to a lack of resources and a need for new buildings, laboratories and equipment, but with effort and the commitment of staff, we are developing plans to address this.
Q:
How challenging is the job?
A:
The job is of course very challenging, but so are many other jobs in the university. We all have to perform our duties to the best of our abilities if we are to succeed. I also have to follow in the footsteps of the previous VCs [Vice-Chancellors], Professor [Terence] Davis, Professor [Peter] Mwanza, Professor Mhango and also acting VC, Professor Msiska. I hope I can do their work justice.
Q: What are your priority areas at the university?
A:
To better understand the university and to listen to the ideas and concerns of staff and students. Beyond that, we all, as Mzuzu University, need to ensure the smooth running of classes this semester and to start planning ahead for improvements in how we teach and manage our programmes, how we better manage our finance and administration and how we can raise the necessary resources to develop the university.
Q:
Mzuni is notorious for violent riots. What are your plans to ensure that peace prevails?
A:
The university is running as normal. The students have started classes and other academic activities are happening as usual. We need to continue good levels of communications across the university so that future misunderstandings do not arise.
Q: Mzuni is known as a centre for science and technology. How far has the university gone with this?
A:
Mzuzu University has a number of science and technology driven courses and activities. These include an emphasis on environmental sciences, health sciences and information and communication technologies. Within these areas, there are some innovative and unique courses and activities such as optometry for eye care, renewable energy technologies and water and sanitation.
Q:
Are there plans to introduce new programmes at the university?
A:
There are a number of plans already in progress to develop and initiate new programmes. These notably include several postgraduate Masters’ programmes.
Q: Are there plans to move the university to a new campus?
A:
Since the creation of Mzuzu University, there has been the intention to establish a campus at Choma to complement the one at Luwinga. We are now in a position to seriously assess how best to do this.
