Low female students intake at Malawi University of Science and Technology: ‘We don’t want to become boys only university’

Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) Council Chairperson Dr Andrew Daudi has asked female secondary school students to consider enrolling for science and technology programmes, saying they don’t want to become a boys’ only university.

Education Minister Emmanuel Fabiano listens to Techno Brain respresentative during Must open day ¤
Education Minister Emmanuel Fabiano listens to Techno Brain respresentative during Must open day
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Currently, the University, which was officially opened in October last year, has 9 percent female enrollment.

Speaking during the University’s open day last Saturday, Daudi said the problem could be the perception that science, engineering and technology programmes are difficult.

“We are very concerned that only few female students opt for MUST programmes. We don’t want to become a boys’ only university,” said Daudi, attracting ulutation from the college’s current male students.

He therefore said they organized the open day to provide information about their science and technology programmes to prospective students.

The open day, held under the theme “establishing a gateway for innovation and entrepreneurship in science and technology”, brought together secondary students from over 50 schools across the country.

“We think, through this, students will be motivated and inspired to apply for our programmes. Again, by allowing the prospective students to visit our beautiful campus, we believe we will whet their appetite to come and join us even more,” said Daudi.

He said MUST was mainly established to encourage the advancement of knowledge and its dissemination, commercialization of research products and to promote industrial growth through research and dissemination of knowledge.

The University opened its doors to its pioneer students in March 2015 with around 150 students in engineering programmes.

“These students are now in their second semester of their second year. In order to create a culture of research and outreach, in our first year we also introduced two postgraduate programmes at Masters level in Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

“In our second intake, we have enrolled 302 students in the three initial engineering programmes. We have also added two new undergraduate programmes in Earth Sciences and Meteorology and Climate Science,” said Dausi, adding that they will introduce two more programmes next year.

He said they want to offer programmes that will add value to national development and respond to the needs of the industry and the nation in general.

On his part Education, Science and Technology Minister, Dr Emmanuel Fabiano equally encouraged secondary school students patronized the open day to seriously consider enrolling in science and technology degree programmes.

“MUST can choose to increase the number of scientists but if there are no youths out there opting to study science, engineering and technology this may end up as a mere dream.

“I have heard that female enrollment in this university is very low. That is worrying. As a country we need to increase the number of both male and female youths engaged in science, engineering and technology activities,” said Fabiano.

MUST has the capacity to enroll 5000 students

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Noel
8 years ago

Xul Mumalawi Skuyendadi Bwn

yunus nsegobya
yunus nsegobya
8 years ago

thank you for your comments you all above.but note that the quality of education in malawi is declining at a very high rate.it is shame indeed.i will never allow my daughter to make enrollment for university education in malawi.our education is no longer competitive now days.worse enough even employment in malawi is a big problem.i dont know what kind of country is this.i will make sure my children are enrolled in either tanzania or south africa but in malawi i will never never never never

Dr gabriel mugabe
Dr gabriel mugabe
8 years ago

Most girls feel The Malawi Polytechnic and Chanco

Amandy
Amandy
8 years ago

Inu…ama University zimavuta pati kutenga munthu regarding his or her subjects omwe mukufuna amene wakhoza ndimmene mukufunira mmalo molimbana ndi ma points ake koma mmalimbana ndi anthu amapoints abwino inde kma nkumakawawida bwanj???? Just focus on the best subjects omwe mumafuna coz kumeneko mmantenga munthu cz ov a few subjects 4rm six ndiye taonanipo..!

Joe
Joe
8 years ago

There are alot of professions suitable for our beautiful girls. Let them choose what is suitable for them. It’s not a question of how many girls should enter into science and technology profession. The choice remains solely theirs.

Good samaritan
Good samaritan
8 years ago

There are lots of girls out there wanting to be enrolled into these schools but are denied a chance to do so. For example my ward has attended several entrances but tell you she is still at home. She was desperate to go higher but circumstances are forcing her down and end result is marriage. If what you say is real, try my kid.

The Analyst
The Analyst
8 years ago

Do we not realise that “not to choose” is in itself a choice? We have all along promoted freedoms including freedom of choice and if the girls exercise their freedom of choice by not choosing science, you have a problem with that? Come on! Our interest should be to find out what it is that they choose in lieu of science! Maybe they are into finance, law, social work etc which are equally important professions! If however they are all going into film production with pornography as a major, for example; then we can begin to get worried. And you… Read more »

phodo
phodo
8 years ago

Chakwera come out and tell us that you have bought a K96 million car amidst hunger. You are the worst leader of opposition ever Malawi produced from MCP. Jessie help your president. Talk to us.

chinkombaleza gumanyundo gowa
chinkombaleza gumanyundo gowa
8 years ago

University courses are by Choice. You can not force a horse to drink water. Secondly University require people who qualify not just picking girls just because we want to meet the numbers no. I like what the honorable Minister Madam Kaliati MP who says women must work hard in order to excel. Don’t think opportunities will come on a silver plate. Work hard girls and women.

Yaya kumudzi
Yaya kumudzi
8 years ago

THANKS YAMI FOR THE STORY, BUT WHY ARE YOU MENTIONING DAUSI … WHICH ROLE HAS DAUSI PLAYED IN THIS STORY . MUZIKHALA ACCURATE MWAMVA.

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