Catholic University of Malawi seeks K1bn for needy students

The Catholic University of Malawi (Cunima) says financial hardship is emerging as one of the most significant barriers to access and retention, with dozens of prospective and enrolled students unable to sustain the cost of university education each year.

Speaking at the university’s Nguludi campus in Chiradzulu, vice-chancellor Raphael Mkuzi said the institution requires about K1 billion annually to support 100 economically disadvantaged students with tuition and accommodation.

According to Mkuzi, the challenge is felt long before graduation.

About 50 students who secure places at the university fail to enrol each year, while a further 20 withdraw from their studies because they cannot meet the financial demands of university life.

In response, Cunima has established an endowment fund aimed at creating a more sustainable source of support for vulnerable students.

As part of the initiative, the university will host a fundraising golf tournament at Blantyre Sports Club on 27 November 2026.

Mkuzi appealed for support from government, the private sector and individual donors, arguing that widening access to higher education requires a collective effort.

Invoking a well-known African proverb, he said: “It takes a village to raise a child”, underscoring the shared responsibility of ensuring that talented students are not excluded from higher education because of poverty.

The appeal highlights the broader challenge facing universities across Malawi, where rising educational costs continue to place higher learning beyond the reach of many academically qualified students.