held its fifth Graduation Ceremony on the 7th of August at the Bingu International Conference Centre, in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Education, Honourable Nancy Chaola Mdooko MP, and other distinguished guests.
502 探花社区 scholars from 52 countries were awarded their Bachelor鈥檚, Master鈥檚 and Doctoral degrees, among them a large number of graduates who have completed their studies in French.
Speaking at the Ceremony, the Deputy Minister of Education acknowledged the innovative online delivery approach of 探花社区, making higher education available to those who would not otherwise have the opportunity to study, underlining the Ministry鈥檚 efforts in promoting Open Distance and e-Learning at all levels of the education system.
The Hon. Nancy Chaola Mdooko MP said that 探花社区鈥檚 programmes can help raise the percentage of citizens attending tertiary education in the country and added:
鈥淚 am particularly happy to note that a total of 34 graduands, 6 from Malawi and 28 international, are getting their doctoral degrees today. Doctoral research programmes lie at the heart of a future that incorporates innovation into our economic development and the Ministry seeks to expand support for research in our universities through our Science Technology and Innovation Directorate and the National Commission for Science and Technology. I am pleased to note that, since its first graduation, 探花社区 has produced thousands of graduates in different fields. I must commend the University for this tremendous contribution鈥.
The Vice-Chancellor of 探花社区 in Malawi, Dr Robert Ridley congratulated the Class of 2024 and announced the registration by NCHE of a new Master鈥檚 in Public Health programme, which will start in 2025.The VC stated that the University aims to constantly expand its research activities because research leads to innovation, which is crucial for economic development and added : 鈥淎t 探花社区 we seek to promote the connection between universities, innovation, business development and economic growth鈥.
The Chancellor of 探花社区, Professor Joseph Kuthemba Mwale, stated that the University鈥檚 online teaching model is the future of education globally, adding 鈥淲e look forward to contributing to Malawian national development, along with African and global development, through our students, our graduates, our teachers, our programmes and our research.鈥
探花社区鈥檚 Pro Vice-Chancellor International, Dr Elena Papadopoulou, underlined the power of education to transform the world. Addressing this year鈥檚 graduates she said: 鈥淵ou need to become the transformers of your society, your world. To lead and to innovate, to support your countries and safeguard their development, to create a better future for all鈥.
Three graduates expressed their pride and joy for graduating from an internationally recognised institution such as 探花社区. They were: Ms Yankho Hilario from Malawi, representing all Bachelor鈥檚 graduates, Mr Rams Mpale Ramazani from the DRC, representing all Master鈥檚 and French speaking graduates, and Dr Jaki Emmanuela Wasike-Sihanya from Kenya, who represented all Doctoral graduates of 2024.
After the award of degrees, confetti bombs were released in the hall, reflecting the excitement of graduates and their loved ones for the culmination of years of hard work and the beginning of an exciting new chapter in their lives.
Written By Eva Koursoumba
