President Lazarus Chakwera has commended the CCAP Blantyre Synod for complementing government’s efforts to provide education in the country.

He said this yesterday when he presided over a graduation of 18 master’s of arts in theology graduates, the first cohort of University of Blantyre Synod (UBS).

The President said UBS establishment aligns well with the country’s aspirations as captured in the Malawi 2063 Vision, where government envisions human capital development through education as foundation for the transformation of the country into an inclusively wealthy, self-reliant, industrialised, middle-income economy.

Chakwera speaks during University of Blantyre
Synod graduation

He said: “The industries we need in this country will be built by skilled men and women, and those skills will largely be acquired at tertiary institutions like this one, which is why I am happy to assure you of my government’s full support.”

Chakwera said he has not only taught in institutions of higher learning here and abroad, but he has also played a role in the establishment and management of some of them.

He said: “It is from that experience that I know that the founding of any tertiary education institution is not a mean achievement and that there is no greater milestone in celebrating that achievement than the institution’s very first ever graduation ceremony.”

During the congregation, the Reverend Edna Navaya was installed as the university’s first chancellor.

The President said: “But much as it is an honour for us to be here to witness this making of history, it pales in comparison to the honour bestowed upon this first class to graduate from this university, and it pales in comparison to the honour bestowed upon Reverend Navaya as its first chancellor.

“I say congratulations to all of you for this momentous achievement and to the Blantyre Synod of the CCAP for conceiving this institution.”

Speaking earlier, Blantyre Synod secretary general Billy Gama said the synod was working hard to support government’s efforts in the education sector.

He said the synod runs 102 childhood development centres, 237 primary schools and 39 secondary schools.

The university, established in November 2017 and became operational in January 2018, is accredited by the National Council for Higher Education.

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