Kabwila demands excellence in higher education
Kabwila (L): Whatever we call a university must indeed be a university
The Minister of Higher Education, Jessie Kabwila, has reaffirmed her Ministry’s commitment to ensuring high standards in higher education.
She emphasized the importance of quality education as a cornerstone for Malawi’s development during her visit to the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) yesterday.
Speaking at the start of her familiarization tour of higher education institutions and governing bodies, Kabwila praised NCHE for its efforts in upholding education standards.
She urged the Council to remain steadfast in enforcing quality benchmarks to safeguard Malawians from substandard education.
“Whatever we call a university must indeed be a university, and nobody should be called or call themselves what they are not,” Kabwila stated.
She described NCHE as the backbone of quality higher education and a vital driver of Malawi’s vision for 2063.
Stressing the importance of principled decision-making, Kabwila said, “Academia or quality education is not about niceness; it is not a friend to popularism.”
Kabwila pledged her unwavering support for the Council, assuring its independence from political interference and reiterating the Ministry’s goal of delivering high-quality education with zero tolerance for mediocrity.
NCHE Council Chairperson, Eston Sambo, congratulated Kabwila on her appointment and commended President Lazarus Chakwera for prioritizing higher education by appointing a dedicated minister.
He reaffirmed NCHE’s commitment to upholding high standards and appealed for Ministry support in areas such as staffing and financial resources to enhance the Council’s efficiency.
Also present at the meeting were key stakeholders, including the Secretary for Education, Mangani Chilala Katundu; Director of Higher Education, Levis Eneya; NCHE CEO, Ambumulire Phiri; and members of the NCHE Council and management.
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