Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (Kuhes) has courted its former students to give back to the institution to make the learning environment ideal for current students.
Kuhes Vice-Chancellor Professor Macpherson Mallewa said the medical university was lacking so many essential things, including learning materials and accommodation for students.
He was speaking in Blantyre yesterday when Kuhes Council chairperson Professor Sosten Chiotha handed over four high-tech machines to the institution for measuring height as well as weight of human beings.
“This is an opportunity for us to make an appeal, specifically to our alumni, who left Kuhes. There is so much they can put back to the institution that trained them in terms of equipment and accommodation,” said Mallewa.
While describing the four machines as “a fantastic opportunity and generous gesture”, he said the equipment was of high quality, technically but also in terms of durability.
He also said the institution would continue venturing into partnerships with various institutions and individuals for support to improve the learning environment.
“This donation represents the strength of partnerships so it’s through such partnerships that we can improve not just the training and teaching environment but also the hospitals where our students work in and elsewhere,” said Mallewa.
He said Kuhes trains healthcare professionals that are locally relevant but globally competent meaning the university believes in exposing its students to equipment which “if they went elsewhere outside Malawi they will not struggle to know how to operate.”
On his part, Chiotha also appealed to well-wishers to help the institution with ultramodern equipment.
“This is our only university for training medical professionals and health experts so let’s be proud of it. That is why I appeal to well-wishers for support because the needs of the institution are many, especially learning materials,” he said.
The machines were sourced from the United Kingdom (UK) in partnership with Southampton University and are worth about K10 million.
Chiotha said he made the donation after observing that students lack essential learning equipment for training.
