Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar) has asked organisations to provide more internship opportunities for students, saying practical experience is key to preparing graduates for the job market.
The universities Vice-Chancellor Professor Emmanuel Kaunda made the call last week in Lilongwe during the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the university and the Women’s Legal Resources Centre (Wolrec).
He said the partnership will give students valuable industry experience and urged other organisations to follow suit.
“I would like to plead with organisations, particularly civil society organisations, and others like Wolrec, to take on our students and support them so that they come out of here well trained,” said Kaunda.
Under the agreement, selected students from Luanar’s human ecology and social work programmes will undertake paid internships at Wolrec beginning this academic year as part of their degree requirements.
Kaunda said the partnership also aligned with the two institutions’ commitment to gender equality by providing opportunities for both male and female students.
Wolrec executive director Maggie Kathewera-Banda said the initiative will promote youth-led activism by equipping students with practical skills to help women understand their rights and access justice.
“When funds permit, along with space within the organisation, we would like to have such kind of partnerships with other universities, as they too have courses that have interests in our work,” she said.
Wolrec project coordinator Grace Sichula said the initiative will encourage students to engage in activism and champion women’s rights.
The MoU is expected to strengthen ties between the university and Wolrec while equipping students with practical skills in community work, legal awareness and women’s rights advocacy.
