UNIMA Hosts Makerere University Delegation for E-Campus Benchmarking Visit
On 26 October 2026, the University of Malawi (UNIMA) hosted a delegation from Makerere University to share insights, discuss implementation opportunities and challenges, and highlight experiences about online teaching and learning from UNIMA’s E-Campus partnership with Astria Learning.
The visiting delegation was led by Makerere University Vice-Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe. Astria Learning’s Regional Director, Dr. Sande Ngalande, was also in attendance.
In his welcoming remarks to the visitors, UNIMA Vice-Chancellor Professor Samson Sajidu expressed gratitude to Makerere University for choosing UNIMA for its benchmarking exercise.
“As an institution, we recognise the importance of international visibility and meaningful contributions to higher education and human development. We therefore continue to strive for excellence while strengthening our position among respected institutions of higher learning,” said Professor Sajidu.
Professor Sajidu emphasised that UNIMA remains committed to widening access, improving teaching quality, and adapting to societal needs through innovative approaches to higher education. He noted that UNIMA's own benchmarking visit to Copperbelt University in Zambia strengthened the university's capacity and informed its decision-making.
He also announced that the first cohort of UNIMA E-Campus students is expected to graduate in 2027.
Professor Nawangwe disclosed that one of Makerere University’s strategic objectives is to transition all of its academic programs online by 2030. He acknowledged past challenges with Open and Distance E-Learning at Makerere, noting that two previous programs had collapsed due to outdated, uncompetitive approaches.
However, Professor Nawangwe expressed enthusiasm about the UNIMA E-Campus model and its partnership with Astria Learning, viewing it as a clear pathway for Makerere University's strategic goals.
“I would like to commend Astria Learning for facilitating this partnership,” Professor Nawangwe said. “Online learning can help expand access to higher education in Uganda, particularly given the country’s large population. Through this approach, students will have opportunities to access university education without necessarily having to attend classes on campus.”
During the visit, the UNIMA team demonstrated the systems and resources supporting the UNIMA E-campus platform, including the Learning Management System (LMS) and digital library resources.
The UNIMA team also highlighted the climate resilience of online learning, noting that digital platforms ensure educational continuity when climate events such as floods, droughts, storms, and extreme heat, disrupt conventional, on-campus instruction
