Under the theme ‘Educate, Elevate, Empower without Borders’, 634 new Unicaf University graduates, coming from Malawi and 55 other countries in Africa, the Caribbean, North America, Europe and Asia, celebrated their degree awards on October 14th at the Bingu International Conference Centre, in the presence of government dignitaries, academics from universities in Malawi, family members, friends and representatives of the media.
During the Graduation Ceremony, the installation of the University’s new Chancellor also took place, with Professor John Kalenga Saka replacing the late Professor Joseph Kuthemba Mwale as the ceremonial head of the Institution.
Dr Robert Ridley, the University’s Vice-Chancellor, paid tribute to the valuable contribution of the late Chancellor Kuthemba Mwale to the establishment of Unicaf University, observing a minute’s silence in his honour, before introducing the new Chancellor, Professor John Kalenga Saka, who has a lifetime’s experience and achievement in Higher Education in Malawi and across Africa. Professor Saka expressed his appreciation for the fine work of his predecessor, and emphasised that Unicaf University has changed the way higher education is understood and delivered in Africa and beyond, stating: ‘I am delighted to be associated with a university that is doing so much to promote doctoral education and research. It is through doctoral education and active participation in research that nations develop expertise at the forefront of knowledge and technology, which is so critical in this fast-moving world, built around knowledge economies.’
Three graduating students, representing Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral level graduates, stepped onto the stage to deliver their addresses, urging fellow graduates to aim toward building a more inclusive and sustainable world with knowledge, empathy, wisdom, self-awareness and a global perspective, crucial in today’s world of advanced technology.
The Guest Speaker, Dr Levis Eneya, Secretary for Higher Education, commended Unicaf University for its innovative approaches in expanding access to higher education, which align with the Malawian government’s priorities. ‘If Malawi and other African countries are to realise their development aspirations, we must become experts in digital approaches across all sectors of the economy, and the best place to start promoting an understanding of and training in new technologies is within the education system’ the Secretary stated.
Dr Eneya paid tribute to the late Professor Joseph Kuthemba Mwale, and congratulated the new Chancellor, Professor John Kalenga Saka, expressing confidence in his leadership. Finally, Dr Eneya urged this year’s graduates to use their acquired knowledge and skills to uplift their communities and contribute meaningfully to national development.
After the conferment of degrees, the introduction of the new ‘Professor Joseph Kuthemba Mwale Award’ was announced, in honour of the late Chancellor of Unicaf University in Malawi, which recognises the achievement of the graduate with the best overall performance. The first recipient of the award was Chantal Amisi Anifa, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who has graduated in the Master en Administration des Affaires programme, taught in French.
After the Graduation Ceremony, Unicaf University offered graduates the opportunity to have commemorative photos taken by professional photographers free of charge.
By Eva Koursoumba
