Civil Society Education Coalition (Csec) has hailed Malawi University of Science and Technology Vice Chancellor Professor Address Malata for being awarded a prestigious Presidential Chair Award from the University of San Francisco California (UCSF).
According to a statement that has been released by MUST, the award has come following her outstanding contributions to the field of education and field of leadership.
Following the appointment, Professor Malata will be appointed as a distinguished visiting professor in the UCS Department of Epidemiology and Biostatics for one year beginning July 1, 2024.
Speaking with ProjectM in an interview, Csec Executive Director Benedicto Kondowe said it is encouraging that other countries do recognise Malawi with such prestigious awards.
“We have so many professors in Africa and for our very own to be recognized, this is something we need to celebrate because this is a signal that Malawi has competent people and the capacity that the world requires which also places Malawi as a country strategically,” he said.
Kondowe said that such recognition should also serve as a motivation for people in the country.
“People ought to work hard in their area of specialisation so that we have many Malawians in that area recognised globally. This is also important because it is in line with Malawi 2063 Agenda which hinges on human capital,” he said.
Kondowe added that the Malawi 2063, the country’s development blueprint, can only be achieved if the country has enough human capital of such caliber.
“Universities have a huge role to play in the development of the country and we hope that such recognition will not just end here,” he added.
The UCSF Presidential Chair is intended to encourage new or interdisciplinary programme development or to enhance quality in existing academic programs of the university.
