University of Malawi selects 2,379 on quota system
The University of Malawi (Unima) has released names of 2,379 students selected into its constituent colleges – Chancellor College, College of Medicine, Kamuzu College of Nursing and the Polytechnic -based on the controversial equitable system also known as quota.
The equitable system advocates that the selection be done based on the students places of origin.
The quota system stipulates that for residential students, a specific number of candidates per district be selected into UNIMA and that consideration on size of district be used for the remaining places.
In making the announcement, Unima through registrar Benedicto Malunga said the 2379 students were selected from 7791 candidates who wrote entrance examinations.
According to a UNIMA statement they have seelcted 2407 females and 5384 males, making a total of 6615. However, they have only offered places to 2379 students due to limited places of accomodatio.
The gender distribution for the selected candidates is 1117 females and 1262 males representing 47% and 53% respectively.
There are more males students – 53 percent – while 47 percent are female.
There has also been selection of first year intake at the closed Chancellor College, the main constituent of UNIMA.
The college was shut down over academic freedom impasse which was triggered when Inspector General of Police Peter Mukhito summoned political science professor Blessings Chinsinga on 12 February to interrogate him over a classroom example which he drew parallels with the insurrections that toppled governments in Tunisia and Egypt to Malawi’s current fuel and foreign exchange reserves shortages.
Four lecturers were fired in the saga but President Bingu wa Mutharika has since given “political suggestion” that they be reinstated and the regulatory authority ensure to open the college.
UNIMA Council has since reinstatened them but there are other issues to be addressed including dissolving court injunctions taken during the period of the impasse before the academic staff agree to return to class.
UNIMA said the first year intake will be advised when to report to the Chancellor College then it’s reopened.
Chanco will have two batches of first-year intakes when it reopens.
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