Unima in tracer survey
The University of Malawi (Unima) says it will soon do a tracer survey of its graduates, programmes and the labour market to help in reviewing the quality and relevance of higher education in the country.
Speaking Monday in an interview, Unima spokesperson Peter Mitunda said the study will be different from those carried out by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) or other stakeholders as it will be comprehensive and concentrate on its alumni and their contribution to national development in the 50 years of its existence.
According to a statement issued by the university, the study will examine the employability trends among Unima graduates, establish reasons for unemployment, and find out the level of professionalism among the graduates.
“It will also establish reasons for graduates staying on or leaving job, determine the competences learned in the university which graduates and employees found useful and determine programmes’ relevance and establish opportunities for new programmes,” reads the statement in part.
According to Mitunda a questionnaire has been developed to source information from Unima alumni because they have valuable information that will inform developments and improvements in their programmes, services and systems.
He said the results of the study will ensure that the university incorporates ,in its programmes, strategies to achieve greater accountability to graduates and the society.
Said Mitunda: “This will inform how best Unima should re-position itself for the next fifty years through quality enhancement of education at all levels and ensure that students are fully engaged in their education and learning. Unima is requesting its alumni, employers and stakeholders to accord this research the support needed for an effective and efficient management of the study.”
He said a research team will physically gather data from employers and other stakeholders through face to face interactions during which a questionnaire will be completed.
The employers and stakeholders’ questionnaire will be administered from December 5 to 9, and the study is expected to be completed by end December 2016.
According to a 2016 World Bank study titled ‘Improving Higher Education in Malawi for Competitiveness in Global Economy’, the overall distribution of enrolment by field of study in the country’s universities has generally not been aligned with areas critical for Malawi’s economic development.
The study shows that enrollment is relatively low in engineering, business, ICT and tourism which are considered vital for Malawi’s growth prospects.
This has raised concern over the relevance of some programmes offered in the country’s higher learning institutions and quality of graduates being produced.
