Malawi university dons hit out at Mutharika’s gagging remarks: ‘Threat to academic freedom’
President Prof Peter Mutharika has received a barrage of criticism over his remarks that the academia must not waste their time commenting on trivia in the public domain, but should instead invest their time in meaningful research.
After Center for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) swiftly accused Mutharika for attempting to gag University of Malawi (Unima) dons, the college lecturers and professors have added their voice of anger to their Chancellor.
Speaking on Saturday night during a fundraising dinner organised by Unima for its golden jubilee celebrations to be held in September, Mutharika implored on lecturers to “do more research which should get published in international journals” other than commenting on trivia in the public domain.
Barrage of criticism
In reaction, Unima law professor Garton Kamchedzera described Mutharika’s remarks to dissuade them from commenting in the media as unfortunate.
“The development only shows that the University of Malawi Chancellor [Peter Mutharika] does not understand the vision of UNIMA,” said Kamchedzera on Capital Radio on Monday.
Kamchedzera said Mutharika’s statement “displayed lack of appreciation on the role the university plays to society.”
He said: “I do not take President Mutharika’s remarks seriously because they do show fundamental misconception of university role to society.”
Kamchedzera said President Mutharika displayed “lack of appreciation of what academic freedom entails. He cannot tell the academia what they should do or not.”
He continued to say Mutharika “does not appreciate that there is need for an interface between the academia, the private sector and public sector in general”
Added Kamchedzera: “It shows the President as Chancellor does not fully understand the mission of his own university which is teaching, learning, research and outreach. “
He said what university dons speak in public domain is based on analysis.
Constitutional law expert Edge Kanyongolo, who is an associate professor of law at the Chancellor College, also took on Facebook to fault Mutharika on his remarks.
“On my part, may I suggest that Presidents should focus on governance- for example, dealing with toxic bank loans, mustering the courage to go to Parliament to answer questions from MPs etc- instead of wasting time commenting on comments. Incidentally, many Unima academics I know are quite capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time,” wrote Kanyongolo.
His post attracted comments from other opinion movers and shakers.
“As a professor himself, he might recognise it as the duty of academics to stay abreast of and comment on current affairs,” commented Diana Cammack, political governance activist.
London-based economist Watipaso Mkandawire wrote: “One can now understand why after years of being a university lecturer he [Mutharika [has been detached from society. He spent his time publishing things irrelevant to society.”
‘Not professorial material’
A South African based Malawi law professor Danwood Mzikenge Chirwa also commented: “By the way Peter published very little, less than 10 recognised articles in a career spanning about 40 years. What he lists as books are compilations of instruments. He was awarded the professorship somewhere in 1977 not based on research output or excellence but confirmation of tenure, which is common in the US. “
Chirwa stated that Mutharika had no research output worth talking about by that time.
“It’s a pity Malawians have been fooled and believe he is professorial material. He isn’t and cannot be based on his academic outputs, both teaching and research. He also held no notable academic leadership post, eg Head of Department, Deputy Dean or Dean. It is thus understandable that he speaks as if he knows nothing about higher education, for he’s always been a dubious scholar,” Chirwa said of Mutharika.
What trivia?
Similarly, Happy Kayuni, a politics lecturer said on Capital Radio, Mutharika should be aware that academia role as researchers is to disseminate information.
Kayuni also said Mutharika was senseless by saying the dons should not comment on trivia.
“What does he mean on trivia?”
Mutharika gave the example of the rift of councillors and MPs as “trivial issue” which the academics were not supposed to speak on.
But Kayuni said “the example Mutharika provided is not trivia.”
Law scholar Sunduzwayo Madise also queried Mutharika: “I think it is I who will decide what trivia is for me and what is not; thank you Professor. And what is wrong with commenting on trivia? What is trivia anyway? Is MSB scandal trivia? Is cashgate trivia? Are ghost workers trivia? Is the budget trivia?”
CHRR’s Makhumbo Munthali who was first to react on the matter said Mutharika’s comments were unfortunate coming from the Head of State who should promote freedom of expression, academic freedom, scholarly vibrancy and debate.
The University of Malawi carries out theoretical and applied research in its five faculties of law, humanities, education, social sciences and sciences at Chancellor College.
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I wonder why many misguided Malawians would support a politician who rush at the Academia as if he is fooling standard two learners. Malawians now are aware that they have been clapping hands for a wizard who is ready to bewitch them. Mr. President, when are u going to reform the civil service to start performing, like what Dr. Kamuzu Banda did. Remember you failed Malawians when did not deliver as a MINISTER when you facilitated in several unprecedented closures. Our memories are still fresh, dont remind us.
I wonder why many misguided Malawians would support a politician who rush at the Academia as if he is fooling standard two learners. Malawians now are aware that they have clapping hands for a wizard who is ready bewitch them. Mr. President, when are u going to reform the civil service to start performing, like what Dr. Kamuzu Banda did. Remember you failed Malawians when did not deliver as a MINISTER when facilitated in several unprecedented closures. Our memories are still fresh, dont remind us.
Do what I say do not do what I do. Honestly, I do not see any sense in all those calling themselves Dons on this issue, simply because my parents were not that educated, just like my village headman but they have been and still guides me, and am far much better in almost all angles apart from umunthu (Wisdom).
I feel sorry that Malawi is yet to produce wise dons at home as well as abroad, because I challenge the fool in Dons to come up in the open and claim that they dresses down thier elders in public for a piece of advice which in most cases is simply based on opinion not necessarily fact. Where is their wisdom in their claims, what is it going to benefit us in knowing all the nonsense about APM?
Our so called dons, seek wisdom not intelligence as you have proved to us less educated that you are indeed a good sample of educated fools.
Intellectual battle
The arguments by the so-called professors are disheartening and expose deep academic flaws in the people entrusted with the noble duty of shaping the future of this beautiful nation towards prosperity. How can a well-learned man argue that because APM never produced enough journal articles in his long span of career does not have the audacity to make such an invitation? Shameless!!!
Nantchengwa,You are a bootlicker who knows nothing about peter’s academic performance but keep on praising lies and distortions that are being fed to ignorant people like you. What Chirwa said about peter is 100% correct and most people on the know know the whole story about peter’s exaggerations about his academic achievements.
The comments of most of the UNIMA dons are emotionally connected to politics becoz of personal dislike of certain people in our society. Look at the names of most of the critics.
The President’s remarks
deserves serious thought. Our
unima ranks the one of the
lowest in terms of quality and
relevance. Who is to blame?
One wonders hw much improvement wud hapen if
they wud stick to their core
duties rather than standing on
an anthill, bellowing their
biased verdicts on anything in
the name of comentators.
MBUTUMA -PETER MUTHARIA WOYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Mbuli za ma lecturer. Zi atumbuka zokha zokha. Go home(north) and form your republic. Just imagine what type of a country will it be( Noisy CSOs,Noisy CHRR, Noisy lecturers,noisy politicians,noisy bwenubwenus……..noisy tumbukas) Muzizangokhalira ma Demo daily.
Malawi is led by crap people.The Unima education is crap.The combination of the two is a disaster for Malawi.Malawians loves titles alot.Malawi is full of useless professors and other fellow academician who are just good at memorising things that do not benefit the impoverished Malawi.So shut up.We need people who can transform Malawi than having useless squabbles.
If you are doing nosenses and some elders advise you not to, and you choose to take your way, you feel ashamed when you fall in problem because of failing to take that free advice which was thrown to everybody. CHANCO lecturers do overreact verbally or physically among theselves, against students and against the seating president. Mr Samson the vice principal from Chanco that is the results of unnecessary comment. You have your freedom but remember that others have also freedoms to work peacefully like the president.
APM advised you. He didnt take that advice to anywhere. He closed his mouth over it and for sure this APM will never comment regardless how you have opened yours. You have decided to show that you reason a lot by refusing his advice. Anyway then you tried to comment in your own environment against your own students. You forgot that you are within the reach of students. You forgot that you will meet the students in class or along the corridors. Look, a mare comment that students will get their funds on the next day, look Mr Samson.Students eat using that money and today is 2nd day of the month. Surely they dont have anything. The VP could have reasoned logically before commenting. Imagine a university Lecturer being squeezing down just like that.Thats why UNIMA is not withing top 100 universities ranking.Mr Samson becareful , next time these students will squeeze you balls to the size of bacteria. Then you will now that not all comments are accepted by your communty/targets.
APM goofed big time here. I am embarrased….
Hope APM addressed to a wrong place and wrong time.This is in door problem. Call the in door meeting with leactures. You are the father of all universities if something is wrong, people see the father. Why to talk in public.
Guys out there, listen the same lecturers who refused to make trivial issues within their surrounding have been beaten by their own students. I mean there was a terrible battle between the students and the lecturers including Mr Kayuni,Mr Kanyongolo, Mr Kamchezera, Mr Samson the Vice Principal. It was a terrible fight and Mr Samson the VP failed to stand the heat and he was terribly manhandled as of now two lecturers are at the hospital. Mr. Samson has lot three teeth in the process as he failed to kuzinda a heavy punch from first year/yaro female student.
AKULU ADATI TINKANENA ADATHERA MU SIIZI. time has come when CHANCO must have a unitary conication system. Not everyone at all.
Apm is being deliberately misrepresented here, sanakunamizileni ma academic inu. Wangolasa penipeni nchifukwa zakuwawani. and the vocal kanyongolo is not representative of all unima lecturers, some of us actually agree with what apm said. and u danwood do u call ur publications on the trashy nyasatimes research – tatulutsa peer reviewed articles zako tizione
Most comments on this story show that there was nothing wrong with the statement by APM. I look at what APM said as a very sober statement, infact coming from somebody who has also worked in the academia for most of his career life. He knows what he is talking about. CHANCO academics, please sober up and see what APM meant in his statement when he urged you to do not just more research but research that will find its way into international journals. The problem with CHANCO and indeed with other universities under UNIMA, think that UNIMA is the only university there is in Malawi. Things have changed. There are other private universities in Malawi whose standards are even better than those of the so called UNIMA group of universities. Luckily UNIMA is fragmenting and I think the likes of LUANAR, soon KCN will run more efficiently and effectively. I rest.
The problem is most lomwe politicians are the ones commenting and they have not tested a university in Malawi including APM wanuyo. Dull creatures anthu akuba ma vote ;m ukufuna mube MSB bank; ghost workers ;cashgate. A lomwe Uhule too much
Am the greatest hater of DPP populist policies but on this one the president has nothing to apologise for you so called professors have SULUTSADI the essence of professor no wonder you arent respected.All those nuclear plants ,war planes ,medicine are contributions of professors but here you ren away and et government money looking for consultancies why cant you do these on your weekends.Your duty is to stay in offices and think but you dont think.This call is timely and for me money isnt an excuse.All you know from LUANAR,CHANCO,POLY all you know is fighting for positions or creating unneccesary departments just to become department leaders.Look at Proffessor Kanyama and Mtenge are they doing research now?They are now administrators,iknow the presidnt is a big goof on Malata subsidy but on this he touched me.Money lack thereof isnt an issue after all greates early inventors didnt need money but money came.
Wake up you professors and indeed to be called a professor is a shame just as this professor president is
No no the lectures are right. Unless you are like APM who has limited reasoning skills. He has goefed . He should have them for a meeting .
Do you know that a number of lecturers at DSM university are from Malawi. They are nyakyusa and tubular from Karonga. That’s why is rated at number ten. Bravo chanco lectures
Ma Lecturer a University of Malawi tiyeni tilandire malangizowa ndi maganizo okhwima. APM is right. In fact most so called analysts are commentators whose statements of analysis (By the way I don’t see any critical and balanced rounded thinking in their articles) are seriously infested with bias and partisanship if not unholy personal interests.
A good father is the one who never get satisfied with the performance of his offsprings especially if the offspirings are in top hundred out of only 200 competitors.Muthalika was just doing that. Then why are you murmuring? Why are you not in top 10 on the list of universities in africa not talking universities in the world where you can not be seen. Fools. Idiots. You are justing getting monthly salaries for nothing as you dont teach at all.Thats why I hate useless Tumbukas. They make senseless comments. I know these are foolish Tumbukas ,for example Kayuni is a Tumbuka coming from Chitipa, Dan Chirwa is Tumbuka from Karonga(a big Khwerekhwere busy developing RSA instead of developing his dead north), Kanyongolo is another Tumbuka from the area between Kasungu and Mzimba( Mquocha area to be specific).
Even your useless comments do not carry the different view the role of the lecturers considering what the president said. I just see that you are the big hearted children who don’t need to be corrected although he is going astray until he really get astray and disappear completely. If he can not advise as his juniors the who will advise you. A mare lecture who is a senior? Who is a supervisor? That is his job description’s content? He was working? In short what Muthalika said is a carbon paper of what you are arguing.
If you develop something admirable then rise form top 100 on African Universities Rankings to at least top 10. Do it now. Idiots. Tumbukas will die critising at the end of the government tails. Mumachuluka nzeru zedi. Yet you can not do anything.
Watipaso Mkandawire you are also working in the far kingdoms. What researches have you conducted that have impact on Malawian lives. I am always on net just give the list of publications by you that have received international recognition they are being used mainly by Malawians. Tell me which area of Malawian economy in which your publications are being used.What is the difference between you watipaso as you are outside Malawi and by the time you will be coming to Blantyre you will have two or three teeth worse than APM.
For Kayuni what have you published that Malawi can benefit other seating pwii there at CHANCO consuming money from the government.
Atumbuka inu ndi a nyapapi. And the lomweism will be there for ever.You want all the national cakes to be shared equally except the national cakeswhich you are controlling.
WHY MOST COMMENTS ARE COMING ONLY FROM CHANCO? THA IS THE REASON WHY STUDENTS AND LECTURERS/PRINCIPALS ARE ALWAYS IN TAG OF WAR EVEN IN BOKOHARAMISM.HOW CAN THE MARE STUDENTS BEAT THEIR DEPUTY VICE PRINCIPAL SAMSON SAJIDU. THIS SHOWS THE COGNITIVE LEVELS OF THE CHANCO COMMUNITIES.IF YOU ARE FAILING TO ADVISE THE STUDENTS CAN YOU ADVISE THE PRESIDENT. IF THE PRESIDENT COMES THERE AT CHANCO AND PREACH MORE ABOUT PEACEFUL CO-EXISISTENCE AMONG CHANCO COMMUNITY MEMBERS, WILL YOU SAY WHY APM WAS MENTORING YOU.ANY HOUSE THAT FIGHT ALL THE TIMES BRING THE SHAME TO THE FAMILY MAINLY THE HEAD.IF THE CHILDREN IN THE FAMILY BEAT THE POWER OF THE FATHER THEN THE FATHER CAN US FORCE EVEN THE GUN, CHICHIRI PRISON OFFICER/TUMBBUKA/MR CHISI.
MR KAYUNI, KANYONGOLO, DAN CHIRWA, WATIPASO CAN YOU TELL US WHY CHANCO’S LECTURERS FIGHT WITH THEIR STUDENTS YET CHANCO TEACHES ADMINISTRATION, HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT.PLEASE INCLUDE CONFLICT RESOLUTIONS STRATEGIES AND IT SHOULD BEGIN WITH YOU.
We want universities that can contribute to economic growth of a country. Do not work using your mouth as pastors. Use your brain and hands. A wise person does not talk too much. Read the book of Proverbs (And you will be wise) otherwise you are still mbuli zachabe chabe. forgive me for telling you the truth.
I sometimes get amazed by the the so called academia from chanco. they always make alot of noise on the media really commenting trivial issues. We dont know when do they sit down and write conference papers, book chapters and research papers. Please dont blame the president. He has point. The so called academia fro chanco shud blame themslves. Chifukwa chani the post graduate students(Masters and doctroral students) take many years to graduate. Is this academic freedom? Kumangokomera basi. yet themselves cannot even review literature of ten pages. where is UNIMA in Africa. When our nebour University of Dar eslam is lanked number Ten in Africa.kkkkkkkkk shame on us. Unima @ O remove 50
CHANCO O beloved CHANCO! You think you represent the views of the rest of UNIMA academia? Look at the pictures appearing above – Kamchedzera. Kanyongolo, Kayuni, MAdise all of them, CHANCO academia. Pride is your biggest problem! The president has simply spoken in his capacity as the Chancellor of UNIMA. Look at how far down UNIMA is on the index of universisties in Africa. ost of you are failing to bellow the UNIMA from this embarrassment. For the past 50 years you have misled the nation, and you want to continue the same in the next 50 years. BIU, Arise, LUANAR arise, MZUNI arise, MUST, arise, MOMBERA arise PLEASE!
A Nyasatimes nthawi zonse mumafuna kupeza cholakwika kuchokera kwa APM. Mukufuna kubwewretsa chisokonezo cha ndala m’Malawi muno. Ambuye dalatsani mtsogoleri amene mwatipatsa m’nthawi ino ndipo mumuteteze kwa anthu omwe samufunura zabwino. Ambuye dalitsani Malawi.
APM knows where he is not strong hence he keeps quite on most issues. The media and CSO’s provoke Mutharika so that at every slip of the tongue they have a field day. They totally ignore his strong points. I can see that most of this negative commentators are still smarting from the defeat of the elections a year ago. Why should the media hunt for news from others mishaps.
The HE seams to be confused due to his blunder he is making each and everyday , HE mind you the UNIMA students are citizens of this Country now freedom of speech in a democratic country they are entitled to speak of their mind , remember they are the HEs of tomorrow please wake up , there is no life presidency in Malawi
Malawian Lectures Mbuzi Zenizeni. Koma Kunyenga Ana A Sukulu. Kanyongolo Waiwala Mwana Umanyenga Uja? Mwachepa Aphwanga Apm Ndi Machine.
For the MPs and Counsellors to disagree is due to the DPP govt that does not want Councillors.Who doesnt know that.To DPP the issue of councillors is really trivia.If it were not for PP govt this trivia would not have been there,councillors would not have been chosen.Shame on you who comment on trivia and who think coucillors are trivia…?
Seriously speaking, this was a shame and not carefully thought through comment and raises a lot of questions about the President’s credibility as a Professor and those who write speeches for him. A real professor stands up to criticism and is flexible to engage in public debate on matters of importance to the nation. The issues of commenting on policy issues in the public domain and educating the public is part and parcel of the job description of academic lecturers and professors all over the world and not just Malawi. Of course it has to be done very well and has to be based on research and analysis. Even the opposition and the general public, they are supposed to be commenting on public policy issues not personalities or mudslinging.
Coming to the issue he classified as trivia, the rift between Councillors and MPs is not trivia at all. It is at the centre of struggle for votes in our country and it is affecting local development processes including allocation of resources in the districts because the development budget has not yet been devolved. The people who are losing from this politics are the ordinary Malawians in the villages. This is a serious matter that needs serious minds and requires reform of the Local Government Act, the rules of the Constituency Development Fund and the Local Development Fund. For a whole professor to call this trivia is quite strange and does not inspire hope at all about the direction of this country. For God’s sake who is advising this President? He needs seasoned advisers even speech advisers to avoid this manner of goofing. I can only interpret this as cheap propaganda that is being used to unsuspecting Malawians so that those who are knowledgeable (the Professors) should keep quite and not educate the majority of Malawians, while the political leaders are stealing in broad day light through the Constituency Development Fund. A Malawi anzanga nonse olikonda dziko lanu kaya ndi osapota chipani cha boma, a opposition ndi ena nonse, tiyeni tikhale anthu ozitsata zinthuzi bwino kuti titukule dzikoli.
It was simple advice from the head of state – to please the so called academia, be strict on research journals which can assist the people world than talking about one man APM. If I was one of the academia – I would have kept quiet and say nothing instead feel ashamed of myself. Its true with Malawi best writers, spend more time in accusations instead of constructive writing.
Small boys are making pretty cash in short stories and drama, our academia gurus are busy with politicians – why they can not elaborate – we call it jealous, which has and is till damaging the beautiful country and her people.
As Malawians we must learn – pure politics, where if I have failed, I must accept that still time I will make it again. Let take the good example of Muhammad Buhari of Nigerian, he once took presidency position, after few years the general took him out, but was hoping that one day is one day – today the man has made it the clean way up in the office.
There is Mr Chirwa in Cape town – I read of what he writes, it make sense all the time, if he is to blame , he bring the alternative idea to made – osamangolankhula out of 10 – you oppose u bring the answer a better one than the one you are opposing, that we call constructive criticism.
JJB I agree with you! he was there not as a State President but a Chancellor and as a Chancellor he saw it fit to give direction to his subordinates not waste time on trivia in social and political arena but do tangible research on development and innovation to propel this country to the next level. But hayiboo people want professors who spend their time just teaching and marking and drinking the Johnny Walkers, nothing in research development and innovation to show and contribute to the country. I support the presidents observations!
Stupid useless lecturers. You can’t even invent a nsima cooker, yet you are busy using rice cookers invented by somebody else. Fotseki.
University of Cape Town is ranked number in African. The first heart transplant was performed by a Prof from University of Cape Town. These achievements are due to Scientific reach that this University conducts. UCT employs the best mind in the world like Danwood Chirwa. Currently the University has only five black professors. If the president
advises these useless Chanco Academics,thn likes of Danwood Chirwa is criticizing the president. When I search on the internet, I cant locate University of Malawi in Africa. The reason is that the are lacking research projects. Let politicians do politics and academics do research. If you are tired of teaching then form political parties and make noise in parliament. We all know that politics is a retirement career for most academics. Mwina chifukwa cha uphawi kikikiki
Pliz fellow netters remind me of what our President did during the academic freedom at Chancellor College. Were you there?
Malindima @ 28 truth pains. Danwood Chirwa has spoken the truth, Mutharika’s head is empty and very empty with no direction at all!!! He doesnt know and understand what is meant to be a president. You and him can go to hell!!!
How can UNIMA be among the top 100 universities when you select trash to go to Universities with as more as 36 points leaving bright students with 7 points? How can UNIMA make it when mukupondereza the cream of Malawi in the name of quota? This is why federalism is a MUST in this country.
Am Back! So funny how the so called academia respond to issues. Peter has a point. Kayuni I know you, you have nothing. Danwood you are intelligent but avoid taking issue emotionally. and the others you can do better. It is true we need action than mare rhetoric, more so on “trivia”. anthu ologolola muziwaona mathedwe ake: like amayi odi oko! Kabwila, Uladi Mussa. you sit on your words instead of action. Anthu a action muziwaona mmene amathela: Bingu, Peter, Kamuzu, Tembo, Mama C Tamanda Kazamila. your friends bring innovations through research. you can speak but dedicate your time to important issues. I mean for the so called Drs and Professors.
Peter is right and learn to take new ideas positively.
I think the president has a point. Sometimes I wonder why these academics cant just join the official opposition parties and make noise in Parliament. Too much noise like the likes of Pro Danwood Chirwa. Phokoso lokha lokha. Thawi zina phokhosoli ndi njila yo pephela maudindo. Amaziwa kuti akupita ku retirement. Akawapatsa udindo, thobwa lokha lokha.
Kunena kwa ndithe ndithe nanthambwe anazitengera. Izitu mwanyula nazo a mr pulezidenti. Inunso munataya nthawi yanu kupanga komenti on trivia mumalo opanga komenti zamzeru. No wonder during your time as the minIster of education higher education siinali yofunikira evidenced by the closure of the same for 8 months. Wagenda kolakwika mdala iwe.
Please forgive him as he was speaking under the influence of alcohol
Thanks for your concerns “dons” but am afraid why majority of the concerned parties are lawyers. Is it nsanje that your fellow lawyer is a president. Akakhala a ntchona ku joghn, thanks i enjoyed your law books in college, koma bwerani kunyumba muzatulule, are u not ashamed of your poor country, where were u all this time, is it also nsanje that u can now speak. as for peteraa keep quite and work cauz pple are looking for ever oportunity to destroy u and are ready to misinterprate what ever u say. jst a tip
Inu akukuuzani kuti musamangokamba za sitiveliya mumpatsa matako inu nde mukukakamila, ngochita kukonga motani sitiveliyayo. Ah basi sliviya sliviya?
I have information that the next chejumu to resign is a mayi herself. She will therefore leave the party to one stubborn and adamant ken msonda who has no boat to jump on in the time of mafunde. Shame on you ken for defending the defenseless.
Someone has made a very good point: you can do research with adequate funding. Which is not the case with Unima. There is a lady who discovered something to deal with HIV/AIDS at Chancellor College.she is struggling to do further research. I remember lady lecturers at Bunda and College of Natural Resources did their best to bring the hybride maize we enjoy now. All because of funding. So according to prof Chirwa,we might as well say our President’s professorship is half honourary,half recognination of compiling law cases!
That’s why he avoid commenting on critical issues. Afraid of making mistakes.
Even the call by Peter Mutharika for University lecturers to concentrate on research is highly misplaced because that is what lecturers are already doing. I join those who have strongly condemned the speech as empty rhetoric. How can a whole professor say such a thing. I wonder whether Dr Fabiano Minister Of Education and former vice chancellor contributed to the speech.
I did not want to comment on this one but any way I will do for the purposes of national interest. I have observed that the lecturers who have commented on this issue are from Political Science and Law but the University of Malawi is made up of different departments which include medicine, arts, economics, nursing, engineering and other fields. The only departments which are at the fore front of commenting trivia issues are political scientists and law lecturers. Can you give us a break. We understand that you are very important people but you should not look at yourselves as the cream of Malawi. The college of medicine lecturers dont comment carelessly the way you do. The physics and biology lecturers dont do the same. Its only you who do that. Your opinions have misinformed Malawians on several occasion and you claim your are good. Its high time you should relialise that you cannot offer the required opinion without existing parameters and research. The President has told you the truth. Your comments lack seriousness and scientific evidence to prove what ever opinions you make. I believe if you can change the direction and start making opinions based on fact findings from research, many Malawians and others will benefit much. Every one know how the University Graduates are performing now adays. They cant do any thing without supervision and are performing poorly just because of the lecturers like you who are failing to prepare them for more challenging jobs and activities as you are busy with trivia issues which do not need your opinions at all as they can be easily understood by the locals. To some extent your opinions are always faulty and have little impact on the community you claim to represent. We have seen what other universities are doing and its very rare to see any research paper coming from the faculties of law and political science of UNIMA. Journalist from Malawi are also lazy people who at times do not want to research or read relevant documents to understand issues and in most cases rely on you as sources of information which is usually poor. As a result you are seen as attention seekers who are driven by emotions and greed. Swallow your pride and become innovators, otherwise the President has told you the truth.
Empty Tins makes lots of Noise, Foolish university lectures. Professors of Laws like kanyongolo, Madise etc instead of investing their energy in research about bad Laws are always busy with trivia public matters thus why Malawi Constitution is crap up to now. Useless university professors!!
Verani ndakatulo ya Robert Chiwamba titled “Nanga Malawi alemera bwanji?” The president is absolutely ryt.
UNIMA lecturers are PATHETIC! They have developed a terrible culture of commenting on trivia issues because that is how they get professorship. Tima article mu News, ma comment pa radio at Associate Professor – FOTSEKI. Real professors engage in research and publication so President Mutharika is right to criticise them. That’s why all the Academic Saga loud-mouthed professors can’t get lectureship outside Malawi. They made so much noise but ali fwatata still walking the streets of Malawi. They simply can’t compete in real academic institutions. In the UK I’ve never seen lecturers behaving like this – they engage in research, publication and rarely comment on issue unless its serious issues. Andumule mwenye a ku Chancellor College koma ma comment everyday – amalowa mkalasi koma? PROBLEM – UNIMA and particularly Chancellor College lecturers are big-headed they think they are the most educated people but over the years they have contributed NOTHING to our country. Amangozipopa koma nzeru zenizeni za academia alibe!
WOW! Bravido, Academia..Keep it up, teach & school the ignorant professor.
Malawi has great calibre of intellectuals doing amazing job. Each of them commenting in the area of expertise..
This is not 1970’s where ignorant Malawians would be fooled by another idiot matchona, Kamuzu Banda. Made us believe he was the ‘all knowing’, super intellectual yet deprived fellow Malawians of their freedom. SHAME ON DICTATORS!!
The issue of doing research and publishing is in order. Unfortunately the HE decided to include issues of trivia in the same statement. Talking of the professor, had it been that you can be demoted to a lower academic status APM would have been one victim. It’s like his xul was about creatures on Jupiter not human beings on earth, irrelevant.
I feel ashamed of my own
country, being reign by ill-bred human
ANOTHER BIG FISH RESIGN FROM PP. KOLOVIKO. WHO’S NEXT? MSO…N…D..A
Peter Mutharika is a fake professor, madeya eni eni.
I knew long time ago from the word go that this guy is not up to that status of prophessor. The man is well known by even the secondary school boys that he is not qualified no wonder he was using the courts to take him to the state house as the majority of us clever Malawians rejected him. SIR you are not there by intellectual but by the means and force of Lhomwe thugs and brutality. Am sorry for that no wonder your cabinet too is a total useless batch of heads.
A chancellor who doesn’t know the vision of the university he is heading. What a shame? Koma kuba mavoti basi. Mulungu akukantha ndi lupanga posachedwa!
You cant blame the president. Our university does not make the best 50 in Africa. Where are they? they should be ashamed.
There are a lot of things that people don’t fully understand why UNIMA is at this state (does not feature among the top 50 in Africa). Any relevant and serious research a university can undertake is financed by the industry and or the government. Lecturers come with proposals and the financiers have to finance the research. Do we have proper research financing institutions in Malawi? To what extent are research funds made available to researchers? Can the available research fund allow for innovative developments in science and technology? Is there any mechanism to promote utilisation of research findings/innovative products?
To me, a position of a university is nothing if the university’s innovative ideas are not well utilised within its community. This is the area our head of state should have talked about so that we start our journey of transformation together.
Thanks to genuine professor Danwood Chirwa. Ndadziwa lero kuti u professor wa Peter ndi wa fake. He was not even a Deputy head of department or deputy dean. lol. kikikikikikikikikikikiki.
The problem with Malawian academicians is that they know more than anyone else: everyone wants to be an expert at something. Teaching an a University for 2 years, or even 5 years, does not make you an expert if you don’t have anything to show. Instead of concentrating on research and teaching, they are busy spending time on consultancy work. No wonder, people spend 4 years just doing a Masters in Malawi. when was the last time a University in Malawi was ranked among the top 200? How many of these academicians have published in internal peer reviewed journals, and how many times? Do you know that you cannot be accepted for postgraduate studies in some universities with an undergraduate degree from Malawi, or accepted the normal way? Am not being an apologist, but though we may be blaming APM, but there are some critical questions we ought to be asking ourselves as academicians.
Lecturers must not waste their time commenting on trivia in public domain but rather invest their time in meaningful research… Simple message from APM .. Surprisingly,these academicians want the president to define trivia.. Just look at the way they have commented on this one!!The president is right. We need research… Kodi a Nyasatimes,are these the only lecturers we have in the universities? Why can’t you interview Dr Mikeka,Dr Nyirongo,Dr Chanunkha and the other lecturers? Are the Madises the only lecturers?
I agree pm is no professorial material. Zingobela mavoti but failing to govern and failing to provide visionary leadership to our country
Peter Mutharika zikutsamwa ndi thudi usalavule kutafuna kukukoma WHERE is FREEDOM of EXPRESSION please do not violate CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT please
Anyoni-nyoni ndinu a chitsiru. Siunamve zimene wanena Professor Danwood Mzikenge Chirwa? A real professorship is based on excellence not a collection of articles of law. He says Apm’s professorship is dubious as he has never done research in his law field. Malawians were cheated with the assumption that APM is highly educated. Sorry my Malawi, the so called “warm heart of Africa”
Kamchedzera et al please do not allow us to dress you down. What has academia done to Malawi? Nil. Malawi relies on consultants for everything while you are there just farting in your offices. How can we alleviate poverty? You are no where to be seen. Most of you are dying of curable diseases which college of medicine trained pharmacists could assist. Where are negotiations skills with World Bank and IMF? How has law assisted Malawians? Kamchedzera, Kanyongolo tayankhani. Inu azibambo mukutichititsa manyazi muli pa Face Book kwerekwere. Kodi mukufuna kunyenga ana basi?
Manifesto what are you talking about? There are kamunyongolo,kamuchedzera, are these tumbukas?
Can academics conduct research without funding? Every time they have innovative ideas, they are told there are no funds! Azathu azungu amatukuka because they devote a lot research. That’s why pano apanga drug yochepetsa cancer of the tumor.
bwana president sakunama. unima is a totally useless institution. the engineers can’t invent anything, the lawyers can’t handle simple cases, the doctors kill patients daily with their incompitence.
mumangokhalila ndale muma newspaper inu. tapanganidi cholozeka pa dziko lapansi so that unima can regain the lost glory of kamuzu’s era. shatap!
MOYA UYU NDI OFOILA
The advisors to the president should advise the president to desist such comments. By now you should know the Malawi you are leading and whether people are prepared to to listen to all you say as the leader.
mukukana chani inu,,,,,relo UNIMA is not even in the top 100 Universities in AFRICA,,,
The sequel :
Cardiac arrest 2
Are we surprised to have these comments from our President. How did he handle the University freedom issue during the Bingu error
Tsono mukukana kupanga researh ndiye mukutaniko kumeneko,, wakuzani zona bwanji mtimawo kuwawa, mumangokhalira mu ma radio ku commenta basi,kkkkkkkkk bolo zosadulazo agalu inu
Nawe wayambapo eti? Ufuna usadyelere?? Moya usadzikhiye wekha taona Law prof. Dan Chirwa mmene wakukumbira zatipasa malingaliratu
Idiot profffessors. Is he Peter Mutharika wrong to suggest that proffesors should and foremost engage in raising standards of universities in Malawi. The irony is, the day after the president has called upon proffesors not to waste time is the very same day that they make baseless and uncostructive criticism to the president. This type attitude can be said to be superiority complex that these academicians always have in our country, they do whatever they want to do at the same time diverting from their main roles.
I think there’s a huge misconception, what the president meant was not for you to remain quite or not to comment issues of public domain, what he meant was you should fucus more on research as this complement the standards of our education,we are ranked 99 simply because we don’t focus much on research but busy Commenting on issues of no value to society.
khululukileni madalawa, anali atakhuta vinyo. trivia? oooh safuna anthu ozindikira asonyeze kusaziwa kwao maalawa. nkhani ikakula iwo ndi chete ku palace akumwa vinyo, ikachepa awooo atulukira. ife tinawaziwa nthawi yomwe he was minister of ejukweshoni, zitavuta ku chanco madala hibernated, he reappeared nkhani zitatha, sapita ku parliament awa, kwaiwo ndi trivia. tangowazolowera a Mr Trivia
He is very true in his remarks to encourage Malawian lecturers to do research. What drug has Malawi come up with that can combat any illness? ZERO, NOTHING, apart from the Mzuni lecturer who is busy talking about GONDOLOSI. He wants his shaft to increase in diameter. kkkkk. Kamchezera you are indeed a shame! devise a football winning tactics for the stupid Flames if indeed you are a professorial material. Watipaso school yakwacha yakoyo ikuyenda bwanji? Why didnt you go ahead with journalism or magitala a Kachamba. You cant even win a case for any client. Dont fool people you are in UK reading law when actually ukunyamula ma carton ku stores za Azida. kkkkkkkk
bwana ndizoona za u professor wanu. tatiuzani kkkkkkk koma abale hmmm
Osangovomeleza bwanji? Truth pains, what the presdent is saying is nothing but the truth, malawians lets start respecting our leaders
There is no threat here! He did not stop you to comment your sometimes nonsensical stuff.Infact I have never seen any comment on South African Media coming from this Danwood Chirwa yet he lectures there. and why? Many professors in South African do not comment as these Malawi ones do. There are subject expert annalysers and not usually professors or Lecturers featuring on TVs and news papers.Those that comment like Prof Shadrick Ghutto do understand the issues but otherwise none.
Professors of Thyolo
Aise Thom! Walakwitsa kungopanga quote atumbuka anzathu okhaokha! Watipaso mkandawire, Happy Kayuni, Danwood Chirwa, Sunduzwayo Madise, Makhumbo Munthali….this is not good!
With our apparent hate of the lhomwes we will surely never rule this country like John Tembo!
But he has quoted Prof Kamchedzela, Edge kanyongolo, Diana Cammack these r not northenors
Indeed an empty tin makes alot of phokoso. MUNTHU UYU WABALALIKA.
The remarks made by Mutharika reflect the intolerance of the DPP and its fanatics who just want to be showered with praise even when it is not deserved. Boot lickers and sycophants who have empty heads but feed on gossip and saying bwana to the President 100 times a day
Zoona inde. Ma komenti anu ndi opanda thandizo.
You sometimes take things personal as Danwood Chirwa has just commented in this article.
That is why Malawi will never develop because instead of bringing things that can develop Malawi as has been the case in Developed countries, there is nothing tangible anyone of these so called professors can point.
Carry on commenting but we will treat the comments like wind blowing by or just another noise with no substance as usual.
Kalowa nkhutu kayaza zitsiru mukuphunzitsa omwe akungoola mmakwalalamu akapeza ntchito ndiye kuti ndiyauphunzitsi kapena kupempha ndaalama kwa azungu mkumaazitcha kuti ma activist’s mbuzi inu mungoononga tax payers money with nothing ndikadzala president one ma course a Batchelor art’s mdzathetsa mudziko muno
Education is the revolution of the sleeping brain. che mutharika is nt yet being revoluted, he just awarded paperly & nt brainly. Even his speech is not of charisma.
Apa nde waziyamba daladala…wapala moto kudambweee. When Muluzi said univeraity education was a luxuru, he learnt the people’s language very quickly. This was fundraising dinner for golden jubilee. I wonder why the chancellor could focus on promoting the cause for fund raising and how much the university has grown and achieved from chichiri to Chirunga farm to Bunda farm to Mpemba, etc
Shaaa Peturo not even ten credible papers and you call yourself Prof. Paziphwisi or on what basis. I question your integrity bwana Matha. By the way how is Ben Phiri? Has he left the office today being 1st June. Muyaluka a Pitara musanati
Looks like the Prof. President has bruised some egos; leaving Academic Profs frothing. Perhaps the Prof. President’s language was not exactly civil but he has a point. The academic Profs have a point as well. Debate with civility or agree to disagree
Ask yourself why UNIMA ranks poorly in Africa let alone in the whole world, its because of these guys who can’t publish internationally but always comment on trivia! Peter was spot on! In fact Malawi is poor because of non-performing universities like UNIMA. By the way, he is well published than these guys including one Danwood Chirwa who comments on any trivia around! As Bingu said, if you are marketable why can’t you leave UNIMA?
How does all this disseminate information?
Most of what these people talk about are things that everyone already knows. All they do is tell us their biased opinion.
Why would I want someone’s biased opinion, when I have my own biased opinion?
University of Malawi remains the tail of tails: should it not try something different from contributing to Nyasatimes
As a so-called academic himself APM should know better than attempt to gag the country’s academics. The man is clearly afraid of criticism. Those who fear criticism are generally those most deserving of it. What is he doing to improve Malawi’s living standards? The man is a fraud who cheated his way into power. If anyone deserves criticism it is he. If he can’t take criticism, he should resign and clear off back to the USA.
Our president is a comedian. He keeps quiet when you expect him to speak and when he speaks its all laughter and tears.
Ine ndiye ndinalimba mtima basi.
sakunama mutharika…palibe chimene mumapanga chanzeru pamene anzanu maiko ena amathandiza dziko kupanga produce zinthu..inu koma pa radio kubwebweta..muzipanga research mwamva??mapazi anu
Mumanyanya a kanyimbi inu. Just commenting on anything. Yes academic freedom has to be upheld. I dont think that that most comments are made after some research. They are just opinions mainly based on once political affiliation or personal vendetta. That you are educated is a fact that can not be disputed but that everything that originates from some of you carries substance can be challenged. Remember intelligence is not wisdom. The unima community is infested with most educated salvages and propagandists. I beg to move.kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
uyu professor akufuna UNIMA izichita produce ma graduates ogunata ngati iyeyo.
As expected, the half cooked clowns in gowns have predictably responded in a half cooked way. This is exactly what Mutharika was advising them against, mediocrity.
Am not well educated, but why are the well educated Lectures refusing to do more research, may be our country can develop. We are importing even the tooth picks, cotton buds etc and yet uneducated are able to develop a wind mill, Do you remember that young boy Kondesi? Tapangani zoti Malawi atukuke, Dzuwa lambiri kuno, madzi lolololo koma chonsecho no constant power supply, njala yosayamba every year. Koma chonsecho Ntchito pa Radio commenting of petty issues.
APM got his Phd and Professorship thru the back door. His head is empty. I wonder if he really taught at any university
Mr. “I am not aware” has started again.
DO NOT TOUCH THE UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC FREEDOM Mr. Clueless president on that matter.
Munalephera inu ndi akulu anu pa nkhaniyi.
Kapena mwao a kuti Jesse wachokako nde mwati muwatole?
Jesse wina adzuka.
Ichi Chifukwa Chake Malawi Ali Osauka Ndipo Olo Atabwera Mzungu Kuti Azalamulire Nyasaland Sazathekabe Basi.
President Akuti Gwirani Ntchito Yanu Mwaukadaulo Osati Kumangoti Phwiii Pa Social Media Commeting Useless things.
Kuyamikra Zinthuzi Za Azimai, Malo Moti Muphunzitsa ana.
Tsono Funso Mkumati Mukhale Madolo Bwanji Osamuyakha President Pomwe Amayankhula Chifukwa Enanu Munali Pomwepo??
Professor Peter Mutharika behaves as if he has not set foot in any classroom, let alone university.
How was he behaving when he was professor in the USA? Are there any past students who can share their experiences?
I have started to seriously doubt our President’s academic credibility. No doubt he messed up at Ministry of Education.
We thought that if a government is in the hands of a very educated President, things will be different….alas….what a let-down and what a wasted opportunity……..
Educated people should not talk like commoners. Their words should be inspirational to their citizenry, and should not divide public opinion, as our President’s diatribes normally do.
I implore our President to behave and speak like a Professor! He must share maturity and wisdom, and nod disparage his comrades in academia. He must endure that our academics are properly remunerated, and are reasonably happy, so that those in the diaspora are attracted and return to Malawi and contribute to national development.
Real professors shouldn’t waste time commenting on a trivial APM. Rather they should use their time researching on how to bring down this clueless DPP and its thieving goons.
Has any of these people quoted above produced any research paper worth tangible?
Washosha yogunda chifukwa chau Salanje.
This is what happens when you have a party of the president and yes bwanas only. Unless it was intentional to generate this kind of debate, DPP must be very empty.
Chulungamo Chimawawa Wakuzani Basi……Mapazi Anu Anamachende Inu!!
True to that, I am always surprised with some comments. Pure hatred and full of emotions lacking the necessary analysis. Anthu ophunzila opanda manyazi awa. No wisdom at all.
True to that, I am always surprised with some comments. Pure hatred and full of emotions lacking the necessary analysis. Anthu ophunzila opanda manyazi awa. No wisdom at all. , komadi anthu enawa Ali ndiye ma banja?
akuti tipange reseach inu mukukana ok
Gertu is number one TRIVIA
As the Head of state let Muthalika not tamber with the Univercity students and their Lecturers
He was speaking as chancellor!!!