President Lazarus Chakwera has promised the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar) that government will build modern and spacious libraries at its Bunda and Natural Resources College (NRC) campuses.

Speaking during a graduation at Bunda Campus on Thursday, the President said this follows the promise he made last year.

Said Chakwera: “I said government was going to expand the university libraries at Bunda and NRC campuses from the current inadequate seating capacity of 5000 to 9000.

“I am delighted to inform you that a consultant has now been engaged to design and oversee the construction of a state-of-the art resource centre and lecture theatres.”

He said the construction of the facilities, which will take 36 months, will begin on April 1 2024, adding that he hoped the facilities will help the university implement its aspirations.

Another project of construction of a modern teaching and learning facility at NRC Campus started last year and Chakwera said he expects the project to be completed on schedule.

To curb the challenge of accommodation at the university, the chancellor also announced that a project to construct hostels at the campuses would begin soon.

He said: “I am happy to also announce that Luanar will soon construct hostels at its NRC and Bunda campuses to accommodate over a thousand students through the Psip.”

The President said this is over and above the Private Public Partnership (PPP) hostel project which is being negotiated, adding that the consultant is on the ground.

He has since implored the vice-chancellor Professor Emmanuel Kaunda to expedite the project and ensure that the structures are postmodern and environmentally-friendly.

Chakwera further said Luanar has partnered with Press Corporation, the Greenbelt Authority, the Malawi Defence Force and other institutions to urgently respond to the cause of agricultural transformation.

In her remarks, Secretary for Education Chikondano Mussa said there was a review of Luanar Staff Regulations and Conditions of Service and one aspect in the review is the minimum qualification for a lecturer is a PhD.

She said: “The council realised the importance of aligning itself with international standards as the university strives to be world-class.”

Mussa further said the University Council undertook a functional review of the institution’s operations aimed at improving its functionality.

The post Chakwera unpacks bag of goodies at Luanar appeared first on The Nation Online.