Ben Phiri urges Islamic university alumni  to utilize education to transform Malawi: Donates K1 million

Malawians who attain college and university education should be in the forefront in effecting social changes in their respective communities if the nation is to gain from their academic endeavour, according to senior member of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Dr Ben Phiri.

Phiri said this  during the thirs  Ramadhan Convention for Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) Alumni in Zomba on Saturday.

The long serving aide of President Peter Mutharika,  who was guest of honour at the event, centred his address on how academic excellence must translate to tangible development in transforming livelihoods.

“The world suffers from various diseases of all sorts both physical and of the mind.  All these lead to social injustices thereby affecting humanity. However,  even in the midst of such setbacks our academic achievements should suffice to offer lasting solutions. The world needs our energy,” he said.

Phiri,  an academic achiever himself with a Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership Management, likened the aforementioned energies to Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) whose impact has lived on for many generations.

“If the Prophet himself had not pushed on with his vision from the Almighty Allah, then things could have been different.

“Despite setbacks Prophet Muhammad knew that to achieve the vision he had to remain focused and true to his principles. The best way to honour your university accolades is by pressing on with your vision to transform society,” he said.

Dr Phiri also observed that for Malawi to develop there is need for mindset change especially on subsidies and welfare programs.

“Just because we are used to receiving subsidized services  from government we have come to think that things should remain that way for generations. We cannot develop well as a nation with this tendency.

“ For instance, it is interesting how people who can manage paying fees in millions at private hospitals become jittery when asked to pay a little something upon being referred to public hospitals by private doctors,” he noted while emphasizing that too many government subsidies will only make Malawi more poorer.

As a way of  boosting the activities of IUIU Alumni, Phiri gave the group a gift of K1 million.

Speaking earlier, Chairperson of the Alumni grouping, William Ishmael Lapukeni, said the purpose of the discussions at the convention is to discuss social and economic aspects of life affecting the Muslim community in the country.

He added that on top of diagnosing the challenges the group come up with interventions that can ably address the issues in a timely manner as possible.

This year’s theme for the convention was “Transforming the Muslim Vision towards Social Economic Development”.

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