Kuhes to invest K27bn in expansion drive
Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (Kuhes) plans to double its enrolment by 2030 with a projected investment of K27 billion.
The university, which was formed by merging College of Medicine and Kamuzu College of Nursing following the unbundling of the University of Malawi, currently admits 3 360 students.
Speaking in an interview yesterday in Lilongwe after appearing before the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Kuhes vice-chancellor Macpherson Mallewa said the university has already started construction of two structures in Blantyre and Lilongwe.
He said the structure under construction in Blantyre is valued at K17 billion.
Said Mallewa: “The structure, which is expected to be completed in May 2025 has both administration offices and teaching space.
“The building will also see the administration team that is using some of the teaching space at the university relocated to the administration complex and create more room for teaching space. The Lilongwe skills lab will cost K10 billion and is expected to be completed in May 2024. “
The vice-chancellor further said the structures are funded by the government and K2.6 billion has been spent on the facility in Blantyre while K1.6 billion has been spent on the facility in Lilongwe.
According to Mallewa, Kuhes wants the structure to be in use by 2026 and has since asked the government for an allocation of K10 billion in this year’s budget towards the two projects. Each project will get K5 billion.
He was optimistic that it will be able to achieve the target of doubling capacity by 2030.
However, Mallewa said there is also the need to expand accommodation space so that students are properly accommodated.
PAC vice-chairperson Ned Poya said the committee will help lobby for funding so that the university is able to construct the buildings and increase enrolment of students.
Four universities have been created from the University of Malawi. Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources was formed after merging a former constituent college of Unima, Bunda College with Natural Resources College. Later Kuhes and Malawi University Business and Applied Sciences (formerly Polytechnic) were also formed while Chancellor College adopted the name University of Malawi.
