Government Appoints UNIMA Council

The Government of Malawi has constituted a council for the University of Malawi four months after the commencement date of 4th May 2021 was gazetted. Finance and economics expert, Dr. George Partridge, is now the Chairperson of the UNIMA Council. Other councilors include Professor Nyovani Madise, Mr. Eric Chapola, Mr. Allan Chinula, Ms. Caroline Kayira Kulemeka and Ms. Gertrude Kabwazi, as members. The appointments, which are effective from July 12, 2021, also include one senate member, two student representatives, and Secretary for Education, Secretary to the Treasury and Comptroller of Statutory Corporations as ex-officio members.

Given the optimism that is in the University of Malawi, there is a general expectation that the Council will quickly take up its position and raise the bar in management and governance of the institution so that it is more efficient and effective, as well as being innovative and entrepreneurial in resource mobilization to reduce dependency on government. It is also expected that the new Council will ensure that there is a conducive environment for generating novel ideas, debating theories, and protecting the academic freedom that the institution has long been associated with.

The appointment of a council settles the uncertainty that had surrounded commencement of operations in the post-delinking UNIMA. It also builds confidence that the appointees will contribute to the establishment, operations, aspirations and development of the University guided by the dictates of UNIMA Act No.18 of 2019. Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHES) and Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), which were previously part of UNIMA, now also have new councils.