National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) Chairperson Dr. Bruce Munthali says his vision as the new NCHE Chairperson is to elevate higher education standards in Malawi to international levels.

"We will ensure that we work with various stakeholders within the sub-sector of higher learning to ensure that the standards are elevated to international levels so that our graduates are competitive both locally and internationally," Dr. Munthali said.

The Chairperson also explained that one of NCHE's mandate is to improve the efficiency and harmonized selection of students to public institutions of higher learning.

"This is another task we are mandated by government to undertake. We need to refine this area so that the number of students selected to higher learning institutions increases.

“Government has already taken a step toward this end by unbundling the University of Malawi (UNIMA) into separate colleges. As NCHE, we exist to complement government in enhancing quality education and we already have new universities being registered and accredited," he further explained.

In adding to the issue of access to higher learning, Dr. Munthali stipulated that investing in teaching, research, access to learning and teaching materials such as ICT and libraries and encouraging universities to have clearly defined learning outcomes for any program, are sure ways of elevating higher education standards to international levels.

NCHE was established by ACT of Parliament number 15 of 2011, to regulate the higher education sector

In a bid to widen access to higher education, the National Council for Higher Education(NCHE) is exploring more ways through which students can pay application processing fees under the harmonised Public University Selection (PUS).

Since 2014, NCHE has been harmonizing selection of students into the four public Universities of Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR); University of Malawi (which has Chancellor College; College of Medicine; Polytechnic and Kamuzu College of Nursing); Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) and Mzuzu University (MZUNI).

Currently, students applying for selection into the four public universities pay the 10 thousand Kwacha application processing fee only through National Bank of Malawi.

NCHE Policy, Research and Planning Manager, Mr. Richmond Chinula said that the idea to have more application processing fee payment modes is to ensure that they reach out to as many prospective students as possible.

Once all the arrangements are done, applicants can choose to pay the application fee through National Bank; NBS Bank; FDH Bank or through TNM Mpamba or Airtel Money.

“Students have been using National Bank only for the PUS payments, but we realise that National Bank is not available in some parts of the country hence we want to ensure we cover even those students in the remotest parts with a chance to apply even through TNM Mpamba, Airtel money and other banks like FDH and NBS,” he explained.

Mr. Chinula explained that this is why a team from NCHE recently met officials from NBS and FDH Banks as well as TNM and Airtel to discuss partnerships in expanding the payment base for the applicants. NCHE also met with Airtel on collaborating in the venture.

FDH’s Deputy Managing Director, Mr. William Mpinganjira expressed excitement at the potential partnership saying they are open to join hands with NCHE in opening up access to higher education even further.

“FDH is very willing to work with NCHE in this regard and we are ready to roll out the system as soon as NCHE is ready,” he said.

TNM Business Development Manager, Ms. Linda Mkandawire also expressed excitement at NCHE and TNM working together in integrating the PUS payment mode.

Once the systems are integrated, applicants using both the online application system and physical application forms will be able to choose from any one of the systems to process the application fee.

NCHE starts receiving applications for the Public University Selection usually in November of each year until January of the following year, after selection sensitization clinics which take place across the country.

The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) has awarded accreditation certificates to 21 higher education institutions in Malawi.

Of the 21, eight are public while 13 are private.

The private universities accredited include: Daeyang University; DMI-St. John the Baptist University; Pentecostal Life University; Lilongwe University; Management College of Southern Africa (MANCOSA); Millennium University; Malawi Assemblies of God University; Catholic University; Malawi Adventist University; Nkhoma University; African Bible College; Livingstonia University and Exploits University.

Public universities so far accredited include the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST); Mzuzu University (MZUNI); Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR); the Polytechnic; Malawi Institute of Management; Malawi College of Accountancy; Kamuzu College of Nursing and the College of Medicine.

The accreditation awards ceremony, which took place in Mangochi, was officially graced by the Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Honourable Dr. William Susuwele Banda, MP.

Speaking when handing out the accreditation certificates, Dr. Susuwele Banda congratulated the awardees while also encouraging them not to relax but to keep up the standards.

“Accreditation is a continuous process and remember that an accreditation status has an expiry period, so there is need for all of you who have achieved accreditation to continue working towards keeping standards high,” he said.

The Minister also stressed on the need for all accredited higher education institutions and those which are yet to be, to cooperate with NCHE, the government agency mandated to accredit all higher education institutions.

“Government expects higher education institutions to continue cooperating with the NCHE. Such cooperation, coupled with continuous improvement will enhance the visibility and standing of higher education in Malawi,” said the Minister.

Speaking on behalf of accredited private colleges, Daeyang University Vice Chancellor Reverend Webster Siame, commended government for commissioning NCHE to regulate university standards.

KCN Principal Dr. Mercy Pindani spoke on behalf of all accredited public universities to say the accreditation gives them zeal to continue offering quality higher education.

Speaking at the awards presentation ceremony, NCHE Chairperson Dr. Bruce Munthali reiterated NCHE's commitment to ensuring that all higher education institutions are operating at a level commensurate with their aspirations for excellence.

“In line with Section 28 of the NCHE Act, Council expects higher education institutions to provide and maintain acceptable levels of physical, human, financial, teaching and learning resources if they are to gain accreditation and retain it over time,” Dr. Munthali explained.

CEO for NCHE, Dr. Ignasio Malizani Jimu encouraged all higher education institutions, public and private which are not accredited yet to work towards accreditation, following the minimum standards as set by the Council.

The National Council for Higher Education was established by Act of Parliament (No. 15 of 2011) to regulate the higher education sector in Malawi.

Every year 15^th July is a special day for the youth who are invited to join the global community in commemorating the World Youth Skills Day.  The day was set aside by the United Nations General Assembly meeting in November 2014. The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) joins the youth of Malawi in commemorating this day as it attaches great value to skills development for and among the youth.  

Skills matter for the youth

The Youth make up over 40 percent of Malawi’s population, according to the 2018 Population and Housing Census. Therefore, the youth represent not just the future but also the critical resource if developed and nurtured appropriately in line with skills development needs and priorities. Skills development targeting the youth is also a necessary condition for harnessing and redirecting the contribution of the youth to national development.

The reality is the Youth need skills to counter the challenges of high unemployment and dependency ratios which are some of the situations affecting their transition to adulthood. The youth need meaningful jobs and self-employment avenues to realize their dreams of a meaningful and prosperous future.  Developing in the Youth the love for education and training focusing on employable skills and entrepreneurship in priority areas will indeed have transformative effects on the life and futures of the Youth. Less skilled Youth represent a lost opportunity as they are unprepared for work as employees or self-employed or entrepreneurs.

NCHE’s stand on skills development for the youth

On this auspicious day, the question is what is the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) doing for the youth of Malawi, especially as we are commemorating the World Youth Skills Day? The mandate of NCHE is to regulate the higher education sector in Malawi by setting standards, registering private institutions and accrediting both public and private institutions and their programmes. Setting standards and ensuring that all the players in the higher education sector are operating within acceptable parameters is a means to ensuring that the youth of Malawi access quality higher education and relevant skills.

NCHE contributes indirectly to increasing access to higher education through harmonisation of selection of students to public universities and the provision of more space through private universities it registers or accredits in line with the National Council for Higher Education Act. NCHE’s mission is to champion accessible, relevant, quality higher education for all deserving Malawians, the majority being the Youth. Hence, NCHE’s services are pro-youth and pro-skills development among the youth.

The mission of NCHE complements national and international commitments such as target number three (3) of goal number four (4) of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The target is about ensuring access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education including university. Therefore, this year’s theme for the World Youth Skills Day: “Youth Skills for Work and Life in the Post -2015 Agenda,” is very much in sync with NCHE’s mission.

Besides registering and accrediting programmes offered by higher education institutions (HEIs), NCHE has been coordinating the Skills Development Project (SDP), a Government of Malawi project implemented with financial support from World Bank. The project seeks to improve education facilities and learning environments thereby help the country increase capacity to equip young people with market relevant skills needed for jobs in high-priority sectors. The priority areas include engineering, natural resources extraction, agriculture, construction, training of science teachers, tourism and hospitality. As the project strives to increase market relevance and results orientation of supported skills development institutions in the priority areas, it is an answer to the needs of the youth for the much needed skills and opportunities. It is also a direct response to the commitment of the Government of Malawi to improve access, equity and quality of tertiary education as provided for in the National Education Sector Plan (NESP).

Benefits of the Skills Development Project

The skills development project (SDP) is being implemented in 4 public universities namely Chancellor College (CHANCO), the Polytechnic, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) and Mzuzu University (MZUNI) and the Technical, Entrepreneurial, Vocational Education and Training Authority (TEVETA). To date, through the project, there have been at least 12,120 cumulative direct project beneficiaries, both male and female, enrolled into the participating institutions (PIs), and 6,500 of these in TEVET colleges. New programmes have been developed across the five PIs and staff development and continuous professional development promoted to a level whereby the PIs will be responsive to current and future skills needs of the youth.  Another component under the project is construction of modern infrastructure which will facilitate achievement of the need to increase access among the youth to tertiary education offered by LUANAR, Polytechnic, CHANCO and MZUNI.  Under this component, over 70 percent works have been completed as a whole with individual achievements ranging from 60% to 92% by June 2019. There will be a state of the art Tourism and Hospitality Centre at MZUNI apart from ODEL satellite centres in Lilongwe, Mulanje, Karonga and Balaka; satellite centres for LUANAR in Lilongwe city and an ODEL Hub on campus; laboratory and lecture theaters for the Polytechnic in Blantyre and CHANCO in Zomba among others.

Developing viable skills for the youth requires partnerships. NCHE recognizes the World Bank as a true partner in the development of a skilled youth in Malawi. World Bank has supported the Skills Development Project, which has enable the Government of Malawi to address the space and equipment needs in the PIs in response to the specific skills gaps and needs amongst the youth of Malawi. Many youth of Malawi are already using the facilities provided under the project and many more will equally benefit in the years ahead.

Management and staff of the five PIs have demonstrated unparalleled commitment to the youth of Malawi by ensuring the success of the project. NCHE Council, Management and Staff have worked hard to ensure that the project indeed bears fruit and the Youth of Malawi will stand to benefit over several generations to come.

NCHE’s commitment towards the Youth

The Council, Management and staff of NCHE will continue to serve the Youth of Malawi by ensuring that they have access to quality and relevant higher education. NCHE will continue working diligently to ensure the Youth attain higher education training and qualifications that are comparable and of equivalent merit to qualifications offered by accredited higher education institutions internationally. NCHE encourages the Youth to derive value and support efforts that serve to add value and secure their futures through quality education and skills development. Efforts like regular monitoring and evaluation of education institutions and sanctions for nonconformance, benefit the youth, their families, community and the country at large.

Memorable World Youth Skills Day!