Malawi News

Contribute to prosperity, Lazarus Chakwera tells graduates

Contribute to prosperity, Lazarus Chakwera tells graduates

By Pemphero Malimba:

President Lazarus Chakwera has urged graduating students at Daeyang University in Lilongwe to take part in efforts to transform the country into a self-sustaining economy.

Chakwera said this during the university’s 10th graduation ceremony held at its campus in Lilongwe Friday.

Sixty-six students were awarded Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Midwifery and Information Communication Technology.

He said after they have acquired knowledge, the students should contribute to the country’s productivity as it aims to become a self-reliant economy.

“The next five years will be the years of the prosperity we have been working towards. Remember that, now that you have received an education here, you too have a responsibility to contribute to the productivity that we need to achieve in order to make sure that there is, indeed, prosperity in the coming years,” he said.

Chakwera said Malawi could develop through efforts by Malawians themselves to ensure that there is prosperity in the next years to come.

He said development and growth happens through partnership and expressed gratitude for the existing partnership between Malawi and South Korea.

“I am proud that my administration has made this partnership stronger than it has ever been. Not only has this partnership made education accessible for Malawi’s youth at this campus, but it has made it also accessible to Malawi’s youth in South Korea, where about 40 Malawian youths have been able to study so far,” he said.

South Korean Ambassador to Malawi Jae-Kyung Park pledged his government’s support towards Malawi in various sectors including education as the two countries celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations.

At the event, Soohyuch Chung was installed new chancellor of the university.

He has taken over from his father, You-Keun Chung.

The outgoing chancellor You Keun Chung urged the graduating students to utilise the knowledge gained in their studies in developing the country.

“Graduates, I urge you to use your sharp minds, passionate hearts and your own hands and feet to build a thriving country. Let’s face challenges with this one goal in our hearts. Dreams and visions will surely come true,” Chung, who is also chairperson for Miracle for Africa Foundation, said.

He also challenged the graduates to embrace unity.

“I implore you all to unite and work for Malawians’ prosperity. It is you who will lead this change. Let us move forward with unwavering faith in God, the Lord of history who guides us through every challenge. This mission is only possible with a trust rooted in God’s guidance,” he said.

In his acceptance speech as the new chancellor, Chung said he will expand the learning platforms for the university.

“We are looking into new avenues, how we can adapt the new technology and I am planning to start an online platform where we can accommodate quality professors from Korea so that we can deliver their ideas and contents with the students in Malawi,” he said.

One of the graduating students, Glory Jack, said she was geared to contribute to the country’s development.

The University was founded by the Miracle for Africa Foundation, which established Daeyang College of Nursing in 2010 and Daeyang College of Information and Communication Technology in 2014.