By Burnett Munthali

On Tuesday, November 12, President Lazarus Chakwera, in his capacity as the newly-installed Chancellor of Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), awarded academic honors to 103 graduates at the institution’s first-ever graduation ceremony. This historic event marked a key milestone for KUHeS, which has been forging a new path as an independent university since its official delinking from the University of Malawi on May 4, 2021.

In his address, President Chakwera expressed pride in KUHeS’ rapid progress and highlighted its critical role in advancing Malawi’s health sector. Through rigorous training programs, the university is shaping the future of healthcare in the country, producing highly skilled professionals across a broad spectrum of essential disciplines—including medicine, pharmacy, laboratory technology, radiology, health system analysis, physiotherapy, dietetics, and nursing.

President Chakwera emphasized the university’s strong commitment to cutting-edge research in health sciences, an investment he believes will significantly contribute to Malawi’s development goals. “This institution’s focus on research aligns with our broader agenda for sustainable development,” he remarked, recognizing the importance of KUHeS in driving innovation and progress in healthcare for the benefit of all Malawians.

His administration, he reiterated, is committed to supporting educational institutions like KUHeS that actively collaborate with the government to realize a self-sufficient, prosperous Malawi. KUHeS’ dedication to cultivating a high-quality healthcare workforce, Chakwera noted, is a crucial step toward achieving this vision.

“Deserved congratulations to all graduating students,” he concluded, applauding the graduates’ hard work and dedication.