By Paul Madise
Founder and Director of Rise Malawi Ministries, Dr. Zamumtima Chijere who is also the Chancellor of Lonjezo University currently under construction in Dowa has described Lonjezo University Project implementation as crucial to address limitations hindering Malawian youths from accessing equitable tertiary education which includes limited space in public universities among others.
Speaking to Malawi News Agency (Mana) over the weekend, Chijere noted the gap between the curriculum and the availability of spaces for students to pursue higher education; hence, the call for the establishment of the university to provide high-standard education both at national and regional levels.
Chijere also said upon its inauguration the higher learning institution aims at providing a high standard of education focusing on entrepreneurship and job creation.
“Our focus is not only on theory, we want to focus on entrepreneurship, we want to focus on creating graduates who go out to create jobs. We will also have business hubs within the campus where students will be actually practicing how to start to operate and manage a business. So, our programmes are focusing on health, business and engineering,” he said.
He added that the university would in the near future consider having the faculty of agriculture.
Chijere added that the university intends to collaborate with other international higher learning institutions; particularly those in the United States of America to ensure global standards considering that the implementation of other programmes will involve international lecture, local staffs and partnership with other universities.
According to Chijere, the university plans to start with an enrollment of 100 students aiming at increasing the number to 1000 students over the years, adding that the increased enrollment is expected to create jobs for over 500 locals including both low-paying and professional positions.
Earlier, during the ground-breaking ceremony, Lonjezo University Director of Operations, Peter Gamula pointed out that the institution would employ a unique hands-on innovative and creative learning approach to enhance student’s skills.
He added that graduates would be receiving starter-packs to enable them excel through expertise acquired at the university as part of the institution’s initiatives.
