Rachel Kachali
Staff Writer
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) says it will support the curriculum and staff development at the Malawi University of Science and Technology (Must) in Thyolo.
Unesco director general Irina Bokova said the support will be part of the organisation’s new initiative for supporting African universities.
Bokova was speaking at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Thursday after holding talks with President Joyce Banda during her-two day State visit to Malawi.
“We discussed the Malawi Government plans to establish six universities by 2020 and we conversed on how Unesco will assist in financing Must. Particularly, we will support the curriculum and staff development of Must,” said Bokova.
She said Unesco will continue to support programmes that encourage girls’ participation in sciences and mathematics.
“We want to scale up the promotion of girls participation in science and mathematics subjects secondary schools. I also discussed with the President on what we should do to prevent girl drop-outs in Malawi” said Bokova, who left the country on Friday.
Minister of Education Eunice Kazembe said the President has commended the partnership that exists between Unesco and Malawi in areas of education, science and technology, culture, communication and information technology.
“On education, it is the President’s dream to see a lot of students pursuing university education. That is why she has asked Unesco to support Must and ensure that the university becomes a centre of excellence,” said Kazembe.
