In a ceremony at the National Police Headquarters on the 26th of October 2021, Unicaf University signed an MoU with the Malawi Police Service (MPS) to assist in upgrading the qualifications, knowledge and skills of members of the police service.
Signing the MoU, on behalf of the Inspector General of Police Dr George Kainja, the Deputy Inspector General – Administration Ms Merlyne Yolamu said that police officers will now have the opportunity to pursue online academic and professional programmes at affordable cost and in their own free time. She stressed: ‘Capacity building forms the back bone of every ambitious organisation, let alone the MPS. It is expected that this partnership will contribute to the continuing professional development of officers of the MPS.’
The MoU will also offer training workshops and tailor-made programmes to MPS employees and facilitate the collaboration of UUM and MPS on Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives and other activities of value to the community.
Unicaf University Vice-Chancellor, Dr Robert Ridley said: ’We pride ourselves on the quality of the tuition that we provide, and we have an extensive quality assurance system. Over 60% of our tutors have a PhD. Our students interact with fellow students from all over Malawi and from all over the world. Surveys show that our students are pleased with the service we provide and that studying at Unicaf University has helped advance their careers.’ The Vice-Chancellor emphasised that it is an honour and a privilege to partner with the MPS and that Unicaf University will aim to continuously improve on the delivery of its academic programmes to members of the MPS.
Mr J.H.C. Kanthiti, Deputy Commissioner of Police with responsibility for Training and member of the coordinating team for the drafting of the MoU, said that the collaboration with Unicaf University was approved by the Inspector General of the MPS because of the distinct benefits it provides, including the University’s accreditation by the NCHE locally and by the British Accreditation Council in the UK internationally, the flexible online learning model of study that it utilises, and the generous corporate scholarships that will be available to eligible police officers who apply.
Also, present at the ceremony were the Chancellor of Unicaf University Professor Kuthemba-Mwale, the Commissioner of Police responsible for Finance and Administration, Mr L Kamphika, the Commissioner of Police responsible for Human Resources Management, Mr S Kaliza, and the Deputy Commissioner of Police and Director of Legal Mr Mwabi Kalua.