More than 600 students from 64 countries received their degree awards at the 7th Graduation Ceremony of Unicaf University, Malawi

After working hard on their studies, with many of them also taking care of careers and families at the same time, 618 proud Unicaf University, Malawi graduates were recognised at a Ceremony held at the Bingu International Conference Centre in Lilongwe, on the 10^th of October. The theme of this year’s Graduation Ceremony was ‘Relevant Education for a Changing World’.

Of the 618 graduates, 200 are Malawians while 418 come from an amazing 64 other countries in Africa, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. The new graduates received their awards in Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral programmes, spanning the sectors of Business, Economics, Management of Information Systems, Finance Management, Oil, Gas & Energy Management, Hospitality Management, Computer Science, Education, Supply Chain Management & Logistics, Public Administration, Accounting, Organisational Psychology, and two programmes in French: Master en Administration des Affaires (MBA) and Master Management de la Santé.

The Graduation Ceremony was graced by the presence of the Honourable Bright Msaka SC, Malawi’s Minister of Education, Science & Technology, who was the Guest of Honour. The Minister stated that Malawi needs a higher education system that is accessible, inclusive and relevant, calling on universities to expand digital learning, in order to widen access to higher education, while safeguarding academic quality. The Honourable Bright Msaka SC, commended Unicaf University for serving this very purpose and stated: “This is the balance the government expects all higher education institutions to maintain – widening access while protecting academic integrity, embracing innovation while preserving quality, and expanding enrolment while strengthening graduate outcomes.”

The Minister emphasised the government’s commitment to strengthening research, science, technology and innovation, and asked graduates to use their qualifications with integrity, humility and purpose, not only for personal advancement but also for the development of their communities, institutions and countries.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Dr Robert Ridley, welcomed graduating students and their families, and referred to the state of the world – the conflicts, the social challenges and the technological advances changing the way we live, communicate and conduct business: “These technological advances will affect the way we educate our citizens at every level, from primary school through to university. Unicaf University’s online programmes are at the forefront of this technological change and its application to higher education. We endeavour to prepare our students for the world they will enter after graduation and to prepare them for the changes that will come in the future”.

Highlighting the multiple advantages of Unicaf’s flexible online teaching and learning model, the University’s Chancellor, Professor John Danwell Kalenga Saka, noted that universities are not designed to impart knowledge alone, but also to teach students to question that knowledge, to develop their own, evidence-based opinions and to conduct research that can generate new knowledge. The Chancellor then said: “The development of more doctoral graduates is an essential prerequisite, if our nations are to be successful in their quest for new knowledge and solutions for today’s challenges. Many of our doctoral graduates are not academics, but professionals, addressing problems they face at work. I strongly encourage Bachelor and Master’s graduates to consider pursuing a doctoral degree in the future. I also encourage doctoral graduates to continue to engage in research, in order to address societal challenges in a changing world. This would contribute to increased human capital in Malawi, which is a critical enabler to national development.”

Speaking on behalf of 2026 doctoral graduates, Dr Sikhangezile Gwatikunda from Namibia, now living in the United Kingdom, who was awarded the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education, emphasised the importance of perseverance in academic study and in life: “In my case, it has been a journey, which started in 2018, initially slowed down by a life changing experience, which saw me relocate from Namibia to England. In addition, fighting COVID-19 on the frontline and various health issues meant that I lost two years. But I did not give up, I persevered. I now know that Education and Research is my present and my future. Fellow graduates, keep doing your good work and keep learning.  May we all leave a positive imprint on our communities, our countries, our world.”

Representing this year’s Master’s graduates, Mr Michel Longanga Shongo from the Democratic Republic of Congo, a graduate of the French language Healthcare Management programme, underlined the quality of teaching offered by the University, the flexibility of the virtual learning environment, the option to pay fees in instalments, and the benefits of the referral programme. Looking at the future Mr Shongo stated: “Our aspiration is not only to put our knowledge and experience at the service of public health and contribute meaningfully and sustainably to the well-being of our communities, but also to continue our academic journey with doctoral studies. We extend our sincere gratitude to Unicaf University for the quality of the education we have received; to our fellow students for their solidarity, encouragement, and mutual support; and, above all, to our families for their sacrifices and unwavering support.”

Malawian graduate in Hospitality Management Thulani Nkhoma, representing this year’s Bachelor graduates, thanked God for His Grace, guidance and strength, which made their academic achievement possible, and said about her personal experience: “There were moments of exhaustion, self-doubt, and times when balancing my studies with everything else happening in my life felt difficult. But every time I felt so tired that I wanted to give up, I reminded myself that I was not doing this only for myself, but also to show to my son the importance of believing in yourself, working hard, and never giving up on your dreams.”

This year’s Joseph Kuthemba Mwale Award for Excellence was awarded to Mr Confidence Tauzie, who graduated with the BSc in Computer Science with Distinction.

The conferment of the awards to the new graduates by the University’s Chancellor, Professor John Saka, took place in the presence of the Guest of Honour, the Honourable Minister of Education, Science & Technology, Bright Msaka SC, and the University’s academic team, who congratulated the new graduates, while their friends and families applauded and cheered enthusiastically, making this moment unforgettable for the Class of 2026.

Unicaf University Campus, Unit 1 Shoppers Mall, Area 4, Plot 67, Lilongwe, Malawi 

Email: info@unicafuniversity.com         Website: https://unicafuniversity.ac.mw

Written by Eva Koursoumba