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.