Education Minister Agness Nyalonje says if the
country has to move forward everyone should start
doing things differently from tradition.
Nyalonje was speaking at Malawi University of
Science and Technology (MUST) in Thyolo after
touring the facility.
She said Malawi is a youthful nation and “our
thinking should be how we create space and
resources to enhance innovation in the country.”
The Minister said the secret to development is
when we challenge the students to start thinking
innovation and coming up with solutions to
problems the country is facing.
“Let us inspire the youth, the students to change the
dynamics of life. Solution-based thinking is what we
need. There’s just huge potential and our education
system ought to respond to issues affecting the
nation.”
“We will set up two directorates at the Ministry to
lead and champion innovation. MUST is already
doing an impressive job but as the Bible gives the
analogy of ‘To whom much is given, much will be
required’ I will urge MUST to deliver exceedingly
beyond the obvious. The nation is waiting for more
innovations from the institution,” said Nyalonje.
MUST Vice Chancellor Professor Address Malata
said her institution aims for excellence in teaching
and learning, adding that it will enhance its services
so that it’s output should be beneficial to the
country and the world at large.
The Minister also visited Catholic University (CU) in
Chiradzulu to appreciate their experience with
COVID-19 and preparedness to re-open the
institution on October 14.
CU Vice Chancellor Rev Fr Dr George Buleya said 90
percent of students at CU have been taking their
classes via online and the negative impact of the
pandemic on learning has been minimal.
“For four months now our students have been
attending their classes online and examinations
were also administered via the same mode. This is
no mean achievement. We also take pride that we
are the only private university that has managed to
pay its staff full salaries till now despite the
pandemic,” said Buleya.
Through this tour the Ministry is assessing
preparedness of higher education institutions to re-
open amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
