By Chisomo Phiri
The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) says the introduction of an online application portal for students seeking enrolment into public universities has been successfully approved and implemented.
Speaking after an orientation session for prospective applicants held at St Marcellin Champagnat Community Day Secondary School in Dedza on Monday, NCHE Chief Executive Officer(CEO ) Ambumulire Phiri said the number of applicants has risen from about 15,000 to approximately 24,000 over the past three years since the system was introduced.
She said utilisation of the portal has further improved with the deployment of teacher agents across all education zones to assist students who lack access to smartphones or computers, adding that the initiative aims to ensure no deserving student is left behind.
On his part, a teacher at Champagnat Community Day Secondary School (CDSS ) who is one of the 193 teacher agents, Chimwemwe Phambala
said the system has also reduced the financial burden on students. Previously, applicants were required to complete hard-copy forms and physically submit them to NCHE, a process that was both costly and time-consuming.
The current application window for the country’s six public universities, which opened on December 8, will close on January 3.
NCHE is a statutory body established under the National Council for Higher Education Act of 2011.
It is mandated to regulate, coordinate, and promote higher education in Malawi to ensure quality, relevance, and equitable access.
The council oversees accreditation of higher education institutions and academic programmes, sets minimum standards, advises the government on higher education policy, and facilitates student placement into public universities through a centralised application system.
It plays a key role in expanding access to higher education while safeguarding academic standards in both public and private institutions.
