By Staff Reporter
The Minister of Higher Education, Hon. Dr. Jessie Kabwila, held a bilateral meeting with the Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia, Her Excellency Maria del Rosario Mina-Rojas, on July 3, 2025. The meeting aimed to explore possible collaborations between Malawi and Colombia in the field of higher education.
Dr. Kabwila expressed interest in establishing a long-term relationship with Colombia to facilitate collaborations between higher education institutions in research, innovation, quality assurance, and increasing access. She emphasized the importance of higher education in driving innovations that respond to societal needs.
Ambassador Maria del Rosario Mina-Rojas highlighted Colombia’s strong interest in international relations, particularly in education. She mentioned exchange programs involving staff and students in research, postgraduate training, and skills development for youth through technical and vocational training. The Ambassador also shared information on the Beca Colombia Scholarship Program for Foreigners, which could facilitate collaborations between the two nations.
As a way forward, the two sides agreed to work on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate collaborations between institutions in Malawi and Colombia.
The meeting was the first of the Ambassador’s introductory engagements with key Goverment stakeholders immediately after she presented her Letters of Credence to His Excellency Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi, earlier in the day. In attendance at the meeting were the Secretary for Higher Education, Dr. Levis Eneya, and Mr. Ivan Mendoza-Benitez, Cultural Attaché (Culture & Education) from the Colombian Embassy.
