Ten post-graduate programmes at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar) have received regional accreditation from the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA).
The endorsement covers master of science degrees in horticulture, agronomy, agribusiness management, irrigation engineering, food science and technology, aquaculture and fisheries science, extension, innovation and development and agricultural and applied economics.
On the other hand, doctoral programmes accredited include agriculture extension, innovation and development and agricultural and resource economics.
In a statement announcing the achievement, Luanar Vice-Chancellor Professor Emmanuel Kaunda said the recognition cements the university’s status as a centre of academic excellence.
He said it also affirms Luanar’s commitment to delivering postgraduate education that meets regional and international standards.
Said Kaunda: “This is a strong endorsement of the quality, relevance and rigour of our postgraduate programmes.
“The accreditation confirms Luanar’s position as a centre of excellence in training high-level professionals who are equipped to address Africa’s development challenges through research, innovation, and practical solutions.”
The rigorous accreditation process was supported by three World Bank-funded Centres of Excellence hosted at Luanar, namely the Africa Centre of Excellence in Transformative Agriculture Commercialisation, the Africa Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Policy Analysis, and the Africa centre of excellence in Aquaculture and Fisheries.
The three centres have been instrumental in strengthening advanced training, research and innovation in agriculture, policy and natural resource management across the region.
In an interview, Civil Society Education Coalition executive director Benedicto Kondowe described the accreditation as a “strong validation of academic quality” at Luanar.
He noted that it confirms that the university’s postgraduate programmes meet harmonised regional standards, enhancing credibility, comparability of qualifications and competitiveness within the East African higher-education landscape.
“It also improves graduate employability by making qualifications more portable and trusted across East Africa, while supporting innovation and applied research aligned with regional priorities such as food security, agribusiness development and climate resilience,” said Kondowe.
The accreditation is expected to further enhance Luanar’s profile as a regional hub for postgraduate education, research and innovation, contributing to sustainable agricultural and natural resource development in Africa.
